But the council says it can do nothing.
Oamaru received 161.2mm of rain in a 24-hour period on July 21 and 22.
Water coming off the Glen Eden Reserve created a slip on Glen St resident Gordon Stringer's property. A month later, silt and debris still surrounds his front door.
''I've lost over 40m of my property.''
On the night of the storm he said a waterfall formed on his property and began cascading down his retaining wall right beside his house.
''During the night a hole blew out on the hill and crept down.''
The ground on the reserve the council manages was susceptible to underground water channels and the issue of water cutting its own track through the area was well known.
''I've lived here for 13 years. It's an ongoing problem. The council are very well aware of my views on it.''
He said the council was the steward of the reserve and should take better care of the ratepayers who lived beneath it.
''The council needs to make a plan for the area, where the under-runners are. It's not going to go anywhere. They need to manage the reserve because that is their job. They need to forward plan. They need to do a report.
''They have an obligation to keep ratepayers safe. It's too much for me now.''
Council staff had visited the site, but ''they look at it ... they look at the ground and shuffle their feet''.
The council's regulatory services manager, Lichelle Guyan, said water moved underground in many places in the Waitaki district and the council was unable to prevent the natural phenomenon.
''The extensive flooding we had in July was severe and caused a number of slips - we inspected the properties that were affected and suggested property owners lodge claims with their respective insurance companies.
''Council staff have visited Mr Stringer and we are aware that he has lodged a claim with his insurance company and [the] Earthquake Commission for damage done to his property following last month's flood.
''We sympathise with Mr Stringer and other property owners who have had damaged properties because of the flood and we will co-operate directly with insurance companies should more information be required''
