Mechanical engineer and father-to-be Logan Bennett said he had "tossed his phone aside" after it continually chimed during last week’s dramatic storms.
Only later did he discover that friends and neighbours had been trying to alert him to some unexpected guests back home on his Owaka property.
"I was working at Finegand and checked out a few of the first alerts that came through during lunchtime, with people posting photos and clips of the storm rolling in and throwing crap around everywhere.
"After a bit I had to get back to work, but the phone wouldn’t stop going off. I tossed it aside so I wouldn’t be disturbed by it."
Eventually, Mr Bennett succumbed to its incessant demands, after what seemed to be urgent calls coming in.
"I thought I’d better check in case something had happened to my [pregnant] partner, and discovered a bunch of full-size water-storage tanks had broken free from across the road and rolled into our house."
He said, fortunately, no-one had been at home at the time save for his four dogs, who appeared to have evaded the giant rollers unscathed.
One had damaged the corner of his living room, a second had "shunted" his shed a few centimetres and the others been stopped by hedges.
He had since learnt the tanks had been stored across the road, behind a waratah and wire, for use on a new council water scheme.
"The wind must have uprooted the waratah and freed them. It’s pretty lucky no-one was hurt. Now I’d just like to see them gone."
He said the council was working to remove the tanks, and insurance would cover the damage.
"I’ve lived in Owaka all my life and we’ve seen floods and storms and all sorts of carry on, but never anything quite like this."
He was confident repairs to his — now somewhat leaky — lounge would be completed before March, when his partner was due with their first child.
"We’ll be back warm and dry by then."
