Jamberoo's Kay and Brian Robinson at the gate of their Minnamurra Lane property with what remains of two massive trees - two of the many trees that were decimated in a recent tornado. Picture: PAUL JONES
JAMBEROO'S Brian Robinson thought he was going to die during the height of last week's tornado, as it ripped through his 1857 home and garden.
At the height of the storm, which hit sometime after 3am, he and his wife, Kay, woke to the terrifying sound of their massive trees crashing around and over their home.
"We were in bed and I saw the manhole in our bedroom lift off and could see sky - I honestly thought I was going to die," he said.
At the height of the storm, the masses of large trees, most of which they planted when they bought the farm in Minnamurra Lane more than 30 years ago, were literally ripped out of the ground - roots and all.
"I said to Kay that we had better get out as quickly as we could - our son and grandson were 'camping out' in another room and all we were worried about was making sure everyone was safe.
"All we could see outside after the hurricane passed was a branch outside our kitchen window and commented that one of the trees must have fallen down, not realising the devastation that had gone on outside. The whole tree missed the window by inches," he said.
"We just couldn't imagine what we saw when it became light outside - it looked like a war zone."
But Mr Robinson was philosophical about what happened, saying that despite the trees being decimated, they almost certainly dodged a bullet by having so many trees on the property.
"The trees probably acted as a bit of a wind break - who knows what would have happened if they weren't there."
The Robinsons praised the community spirit of the town and especially Minnamurra Lane.
"Neighbours and friends have come from everywhere to help and not only helped with tarps and clearing debris, some of which had to be removed before we could even get down our driveway, and even a tractor, as well as offering accommodation," Mr Robinson said.
The home, will almost certainly be a write-off and Mrs Robinson also praised their insurers.
"Some insurance companies get a bad rap in situations like this, but they have already had assessors and structural engineers in and have put us up in Kiama for the next 10 days or so until we can get something else arranged," she said.