The makeshift barrier did the trick, with manager Jamie Davies saying they had managed to save most of the stock inside the store.

The back storage areas were another matter, with hay bales, feed and cement swept away in the deluge.

At one point the giant dumpster was even swept off its base and washed down to the back fence several metres from where it once rested.

"I came in in my dressing gown before work just to see what it was like," Mr Davies said.

"Then I went home and got a phone call saying it was coming up pretty quick so I whizzed back down about 9am.

"The water was up nearly to the road and then it went over the road and started coming to the front door.

"It all happened extremely quickly."

As employees worked frantically to drag the heavy bags to the front door, Mr Davies said neighbouring residents were being evacuated.

"The street turned into a creek, water was running down it like it was flooded," he said.

"I just tried to build a bank to stop the water coming into the shop.

"I tried to build one to stop it going down the driveway but I couldn't. I just had to let that go so the water could get away."

Mr Davies said he was hopeful they would be able to open this week.

"(The) inside isn't too bad .th.th. it's going to be a big clean up."