Australind couple James Callegari and Christie Murray survey the damage to their two-storey home after ferocious storms on Sunday night.
A SLEEPLESS night desperately trying to prop up their deteriorating house was not the homecoming an Australind couple was hoping for.
Christie Murray and James Callegari returned home from a family function in Perth on Sunday night – in the midst of one of the worst storms to hit the South West in ten years.
The powerful storm wreaked havoc across the state, followed by another damaging front on Tuesday evening.
Within minutes of their arrival home in Australind, ferocious winds hit the two storey house.
Mr Callegari said they heard a screeching sound and he ran up the stairs to survey the damage.
The roof of the home had detatched and was flapping wildly in the wind.
Ms Murray said the roof was blown almost vertical over and over again before crashing back down, slowly tearing away from the home.
“James ran upstairs and yelled ‘The roof is going to go!’” Ms Murray said.
Minutes later parts of the wreckage was sent hurtling on to an empty block next door, landing about 20 metres from the house.
The couple did their best to prevent further damage to their home – drilling holes in the ceiling to release the pressure of heavy rain and tying down their carport.
Sunday night was spent waiting for a response from the SES, Western Power and their insurance company while placing countless buckets under water leaks.
The SES told the couple their house was one of the most dangerous properties in Greater Bunbury due to the completely exposed interior.
Mr Callegari said he had lived in the South West for about 30 years but had never experienced anything as intense as Sunday’s storm.
Ms Murray said she was devastated to watch her house collapse around her.
“There is now extensive flooding and damage to the walls, floors and ceilings downstairs that are also near collapse,” she said.