The storm caused three creeks to flood, washing down large rocks, gravel, silt and debris on to the road and under bridges, and swept floodwaters down the town's main street, Scotland St.
One Scotland St resident, who did not want to be identified, said the water and silt flooded her garage.
She, along with several other residents in the Tweed St area, was evacuated from their homes for several hours. Most were able to return to their homes late last night but some from Paisley Place had to spend the night away from home.
A Tweed St resident, who also preferred not to be named, said she had arrived home from Alexandra about 5pm and when she opened her car door she could hear thunder. She could also hear Reservoir Creek, which is a few metres from her home, "roaring, and shortly after the water started flowing down the main road.
"It kept coming," she said.
"The creek started to overflow and I got silt and it is just a mess. My garage was full of water. It makes you think of all those poor souls in the North Island. At least I could still sleep in my own bed.
As of 8.30am today she still did not have power, and the entire township of Roxburgh is without water after a pipe to the reservoir was ruptured. Tankers of water have been brought in.
Another Paisley Place resident, who also did not want to be identified, said the water flooded her laundry and she had to spend the night away from home.
Another resident on Scotland Street said he had not seen it like that since the 1978 floods.
Roxburgh Area School principal Gary Pasco was scraping silt up with a shovel at the school's main gate entrance.
He said about 20cm to 30cm of water flowed through the school's main doors and into the reception area.
The road at Black Jack Creek was washed away and the flood had left huge boulders, gravel and debris, as well as gouging out the banks.
The picnic spot on the side of the road was hidden under rocks and debris.
Parts of the Roxburgh golf course near the main road were flooded, and silt had flowed from another slip towards the end of town on to part of the sports grounds.
