They were wrong.

Last Tuesday (April 21), the Hunter experienced a storm that rivalled the intensity of the Pasha Bulker storm, causing widespread chaos across the region.

Homes in Weston, Abermain and South Cessnock were once again inundated with floodwater.

Testers Hollow was cut off for the third time in eight years; while parts of the Wollombi Valley were also isolated.

A number of Vincent Street businesses were flooded and many were without power for two days.

Cessnock was one of 12 local government areas in NSW declared a natural disaster zone.

The Cessnock District Rescue Squad had one of its busiest weeks since June 2007, responding to more than 200 calls for assistance during the storm and its aftermath.

Squad spokesperson Chris Prince said while the squad was aware that heavy rain was predicted, no-one could have prepared for the storm that did occur.

The squad responded to its first fallen tree report on Middle Road, Paxton around 3am Tuesday, and within the next few hours members were spread as far as Buchanan to Ellalong, working on trees that were blocking roads.

Rescue squad members assisted with 14 flood rescues on Tuesday, with people stranded in their homes or trapped in cars that had been swept away by the flood water; and even helped save seven horses at a Buchanan property.

And by the next morning, once the damage to properties was evident, it was clear their work was far from over.

In the ensuing days, volunteers from the rescue squad, State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service have worked tirelessly to complete calls for assistance with fallen trees and storm-damaged properties.

“At the conclusion of Sunday, after what seemed to be a very long week with no end in sight, rescue squad members were very tired and covered a lot of kilometres driving and walking, and put in an extraordinary amount of volunteer hours and during the week,” Mr. Prince said.

The squad would like to thank everyone who donated fresh cooked meals throughout the week, which allowed them to continue with the clean-up operation.

Mr. Prince said the rescue squad wouldn’t have been able to provide its assistance over the week without community support, business sponsorship and donations.

“The recent storms highlight the vast ability the rescue squad has and how it serves the community with all volunteers being on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said.

“With some members having time off work and being away from their families during the storm and the clean-up shows how such a valuable asset the Cessnock District Rescue Squad is to the Cessnock and Kurri Kurri communities.”

To donate, call 4991 2444, email cnckvra@bigpond.com or like ‘Cessnock District Rescue Squad’ on Facebook.

See more photos, video and stories of the storm here.