The Gold Coast resident is in New Zealand for a family reunion and had spent the night in Brisbane in order to make her flight. The hotel where she and her family stayed had no power and was filled with Toowoomba residents escaping the floodwaters there.
A shop she visited was sold out of candles; others were sandbagged.
"It's just awful. It's a disaster," she said.
While her home and family were safe in an unaffected area, the floods have still had an impact.
"Flying over Brisbane was heartbreaking."
The Fergusons were among other holidaymakers and returning Dunedin residents on board the Pacific Blue flight yesterday.
However, the corresponding return flight was postponed until 8.30am this morning. The change in schedule was a "precautionary measure because of the flooding", airline spokesman Phil Boeyen said.
