A FAMILY in Prospecton is still trying to come to grips with their traumatic ordeal when the recent flooding trapped them in their house, before completely washing it away.

On the morning of Tuesday, April 12, due to the heavy rains and the nearby river bursting its banks, an enormous volume of water came onto the property of Terrence and Karin Bryne and her nearly 90-year-old step-dad, Zoltan Benedek, rapidly flooding the entire area.

In a short space of time, the depth of the water was more than two metres. Terrence and his wife swam across to her step-dad’s house, about 40 metres away.

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In that wooden house they propped themselves up as best they could, but at some point the water was even splashing over the roof. They had one phone between them, and managed to phone for help. After spending 11 hours in deep flood waters, rescue arrived.

“Sea Rescue tried to get to them, but turned back. Friends of the family contacted the army and police. A police helicopter went out and tore the roof open to hoist them up, and took them to safety,” said their daughter, Amelia Byrne-Chapman, who rushed down from Pretoria to be with her family.

The Byrne family are left with only the clothes on their backs, as their house, car and all their belongings were destroyed in the flood.

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Without their identity documentation or bank cards, they have no access to money or bank accounts. “Currently, the local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been extremely generous in opening their homes to us and our family as well as donating clothes, food, and even money,” said Byrne-Chapman.

They don’t need much more, but they do need a few things still. “They have to start all over again, food, clothing, blankets, furnishings you name it. Let’s please open our hearts to help this beautiful, hard working family to get a few of the items that were lost. We are just so thankful that they are all safe. The loss of property, lives and livelihoods is really unfathomable. My heart goes out to each and everyone one of you that is going through this,” said a family member, Amy Jansen.

Banking details to make a donation are: Terrence Byrne, Capitec Bank, Savings, account number: 1309577755, reference: floods.

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