Insurance companies have been inundated with calls from west Auckland residents in the wake of Sunday's flash floods.
Not everyone was prepared - Dany Madawala tried to pack when the flood hit, but says there wasn't enough time.
"Within 10 or 15 seconds, this whole area filled with water... then I tried to save myself and my kid," he told Newshub.
Civil Defence paid for a motel on Sunday night but as the family only moved in a month ago, they have no insurance.
"They provided that yesterday and said we could stay another night, I don't know what will happen after that," Mr Madawala said.
Even with insurance, many New Lynn residents are in limbo.
On Sunday, Kelly Compain's house was drowned. She's called her insurers but is now taking matters into her own hands.
"We just have to wait for the assessor and it's probably going to take between 24 and 48 hours... so that's just more time to wait, and we can't wait," she said.
Like the many of the properties in the area, this one has flooded before, but usually it just comes ankle-high.
This time the water has come so high, the Gib has crumbled away, taking over the second floor.
Terra Helmich is also waiting. Newshub spoke to her last night as the water receded, but she still has no idea whether her house is on safe ground.
"I tried to call the insurance, council, Watercare - I wouldn't have a clue really, just ringing anybody for someone to come around and check it," she said.
Mr Madawala's hopes for him and his two-year-old son are now pinned on finding emergency social housing.
While some in New Lynn are at least able to sleep in their cars, the damage endured means this father and son can't even do that.
Residents blame council as flood clean-up begins
Shopkeepers and residents in New Lynn are pointing the finger squarely at Auckland Council after buildings, shops and streets were badly damaged in the flash flooding.
The main street has a huge sinkhole and many have had to leave homes and businesses behind.
Locals say it's because the drainage system was full of rubbish.
"The council hasn't done its job and going to those drainage units and doing a proper check and clearing out all the rubbish and debris, that's the problem mate, it's the council fault mate," resident Josh Parbery told Newshub.
Above his place is the Delicious Cake and Pastry shop. Its owner Robert D'Cruze returned on Monday to survey the damage.
"Water was almost more than one metre inside the shop," he said.
"[The council] must know about what is going on, they are expert in this, they should know when it is heavily raining [and] the drains are blocked - they should check all the time."
New Lynn MP David Cunliffe was also onboard for blaming the council.
"It's an Auckland Council responsibility, they're responsible. They contract out maintenance and they are responsible for the upkeep and functionality of all the culverts," he said.
But Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the culvert was blocked by the downpour and not before.
"I have challenged the storm water inspectors directly, 'Was this inspected by contractors immediately before the event and cleared', and they said yes," he said.
It's little consolation for those mopping up today.
Newshub.
