Couple's house smashed in storm

A former Invercargill couple are dreading returning to their Melbourne home after it was extensively damaged in a freak storm that brought hail "the size of golf balls" and heavy rain.

Keith and Rosemary Ferguson left Melbourne about 9.30am on Saturday to fly to Invercargill to surprise their daughter for her 30th birthday.

However, before celebrations had a chance to begin, their other daughter in Australia phoned about 8pm to say their home was damaged in a storm.

The Fergusons, who have lived in Melbourne for more than a decade, said they would be returning home this weekend to "the worst thing that has ever happened to them".

Mr Ferguson said friends and family had told him about 75 per cent of their 1950s weatherboard home's roof and ceilings would need to be replaced and there was also likely to be major damage to the interior from the heavy rain that followed the hail.

"We are going back to a nightmare," he said.

Mr Ferguson estimated damage costs could amount to more than $100,000. However, no-one had been able to get inside yet to see how bad it was and it could also take months before their insurer was able to assess the house because so many all around the city had been damaged during the storm.

While returning home would be heartbreaking, the Fergusons were thankful they had not been there when it happened. "We are very lucky, actually."

The storm has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to property and vehicles, with claims expecting to top A$200 million (NZ$260 million).

- © Fairfax NZ News