Toohill's face biggest challenge

Flood waters rushed through Tenthill Produce's properties destroying thousands of dollars worth of irrigation equipment.

KEVIN and Shirley Toohill faced one of their biggest challenges as Lockyer Valley business owners after floodwaters tore through their business.

Their business, Tenthill Produce, has been operating in the Lockyer Valley for the past 50 years and was in the face of it all during the disaster.

Working in the business office just outside of Grantham, Mrs Toohill was lucky to escape the raging floodwaters on the day after a phone call warned her.

"At 3.30pm my son rang me from Placid Hills and said there was a wall of water coming, so I left," Mrs Toohill said.

Mr Toohill said the deluge of rain had flooded their farms twice in the lead up to January 10 but he never expected it to rise any higher.

"There was two foot of water through the shed, it's never been anywhere near there before," Mr Toohill said.

Mr Toohill said the farming properties also suffered lots of damage but worked hard to get them back up and running.

"We lost numerous amounts of irrigation pipes, every bore hole had to be cleared," he said.

"Ten irrigation bore pumps had to be removed and silt had to be removed from the bores.

"Everyone worked tirelessly to recondition the properties to be suitable for planting by May/June."

Now with life returning to normal, Mr Toohill said the business and region had bounced back well with a considerable oversupply of produce now resulting in lower prices.

"Although our farms were flooded and huge losses were created, our hearts go out to people who lost family members and their homes which will change their lives forever."