mmg.com.au

Anne Rinaldi could hardly believe what she was seeing when she returned home on Thursday afternoon to find the roof of her Victoria St home detached and overturned on her neighbour’s garage.

The local State Emergency Services (SES) could hardly believe it as well, according to Mrs Rinaldi, because there hadn’t been a storm in Deniliquin that day.

The mercury had soared past the 40°C mark, but there had hardly been a breath of wind ... except in Victoria St.

It is believed a freak ‘‘whirlwind’’ tore through a small area of the north Deniliquin street, tearing part of the roof off the Rinaldis’ brick veneer home.

‘‘It wasn’t stormy or windy so it took me a minute to work out what was on top of the neighbour’s garage, and then I thought, ‘oh my god, it’s my roof’,’’ Mrs Rinaldi said.

‘‘The roof was on the neighbour’s garage.

‘‘The neighbours were looking for me everywhere.’’

Both Anne and her husband Dennis were at work at the time when the mini whirlwind struck between 1.30pm to 2pm.

The only damage nearby neighbours experienced were their rubbish bins being knocked over, however a ute parked a block from the Rinaldis’ home had the hardcover ripped from the tray.

There were no other reports of house damage received by the local SES.

‘‘SES were right on to it and got the roof tarped down straight away ... they were excellent,’’ Mrs Rinaldi said.

‘‘The neighbours came over to help out as well.’’

Thankfully the couple’s ceiling was still intact.

‘‘Hopefully we don’t get any rain.’’

Mr Rinaldi said Pink Batts from their roof were found in back yards more than two blocks away.

Less than a month from Christmas, the situation is not ideal, but Mr Rinaldi said ‘‘it could’ve been worse’’.

The couple are not sure when their roof will be fixed.