David Dixon's mother Irene, 80, was one of many residents evacuated from their homes when the Creswick Creek broke its banks on Saturday morning.

Mr Dixon said trees planted along the banks of the creek had stopped water getting away from the town centre.

"I've known it for a long time. Take a look at it. Where else is it going to go?" Mr Dixon said.

He said the creek should be widened and the trees removed to prevent any further damage.

Yesterday residents and their families began the messy task of cleaning up.

Ruined carpets, stereos and store merchandise lay at the front of homes and businesses hit by the weekend's big wet.

Inside, people did their best to clean off the creek mud, which caked walls and floors.

Shire building inspectors and insurance inspectors also made their first visits to affected homes.

He said Mrs Dixon was with friends at her Albert Street home on Saturday morning when she "heard a strange noise". Within minutes, water from the creek began rising through the floorboards.

He said Mrs Dixon, who was staying with her brother, had been devastated by the experience and did not want to return to her home.