Flooded out

By Lia Bichel
Jose Quezada, 28, said his family was forced out of their Kernot Crescent home after it flooded during a storm on 6 March.
He said the drain outside his house overflowed and water entered his house, ruining the carpets, causing the doors and kitchen cabinets to swell and damaging a number of other items.
“Anything on the ground was ruined and needs to be replaced. We have cleaned up as much as possible but are still waiting for the dry cleaning before my parents can move back in,” Mr Quezada said.
“It’s a headache. This last insurance estimate totalled $49,000. The insurance covers it but we will have to pay the excess.”
Mr Quezada said the drain had not been properly maintained and needed to be fixed immediately.
But Melbourne Water spokesman Gavin Rainsford said the structure of the drain in the street was inspected by a robot late last year and was given a clean bill of health, and six weeks ago, a special high pressure hose was used to clean out any silt and build-up in the drain.
He said Melbourne Water would meet with City of Greater Dandenong Council to identify the source of the problem.
City of Greater Dandenong’s Improvement Manager Bruce Rendall agreed.
“Finding an effective and timely solution to this issue is of paramount concern to the council,” he said.
“There are a range of factors, such as low-lying areas, that are contributing to the flooding. A little collection trap installed on the drain may also be contributing to the problem and as a result, the council has made the decision to remove it.”