As water inundated South Dunedin, Radius Fulton residents were safe behind their 2m-high block wall.
Radius Fulton facility manager Lisa Genge said while the threat of flooding was never far away in South Dunedin, staff and residents had confidence in the effectiveness of the flood barriers.
"[It] went exactly as planned."
The wall, flood gates and a back-up generator, were installed in 2018 after flooding that year and in 2015 caused millions of dollars of damage to the facility.
In both cases, it was months before the elderly residents were able to return — some had to be temporarily housed in Invercargill and Christchurch.
"We absolutely have great faith instilled after this last event knowing that the preparations that Radius and all the council workers have completed protects us," Ms Genge said. "Our residents are reassured — that’s the most important thing."
The flood mitigation and the care home’s emergency planning worked hand-in-hand, she said.
The barrier was set into a ditch dug between 0.5m and 1.1m into the ground, most of it hidden from public view.
Radius Care chief executive Andrew Peskett had travelled from Auckland to thank staff for their work during the floods.
While there had been some minor plumbing damage, the flood protection measures had worked as expected — an investment "well worth it", Mr Peskett said.
"We’re very grateful for all the work that was done to put those measures in place but then also the team being on hand to execute it."
Workers who were not rostered on and even their partners stayed at the rest-home overnight to make sure the home’s 92 residents were safe.
"The team and the preparation and everybody lending a hand ... for me as CEO, it's just amazing."
