Built with love in memory of Mike Fletcher - he'd have loved this place.
The 2026 Flood & Our Rebuild
13 May 2026: the river comes in
The Breede burst its banks and came up the driveway, across the low-lying ground and straight into the house. Inside, the water reached six feet. The pressure forced in our stacking doors, flooded the garage and carried our shed into a neighbour's front garden.
Inside the house
Almost everything inside was ruined: the sofa, the beds, the oven, the coffee machine, the kettle. The fridge was lifted by the water and jammed into the scullery. When the water went down, thick mud covered every room.
Outside
Our jetty was ripped away, and the tree that anchored it ended up across the walkway. Two water tanks vanished; we think the ones later found on the beach may be ours. The pumps were swept away, the washing line was torn off the side of the house, the batteries and solar equipment were ruined, and the fence was flattened.
Stripped back to the frame
The old wooden floor sat on a decking frame that had filled with mud and silt. The floors, walls and insulation all had to come out, back to bare timber and steel.
Built back stronger
The floors are now solid concrete instead of a timber frame. Every wall is new drywall and freshly painted, the doors have new colours, and new gas geysers replace the ones that were submerged. It cost a fortune and there was no insurance to fall back on, but the house is better than it was before.
Open again since 19 October 2026
The Old Oke Riverhouse is fully rebuilt and welcoming guests again, with new floors, walls, appliances and furnishings. The new jetty is going in, and the hot tub, fire pit and garden are ready for you. Thank you to everyone who helped us through it. We can't wait to welcome you back.
Malgas Flood History
RECENT FLOOD HISTORY
The flood history of Malgas reveals significant events in 2008 (the largest), followed by Malgas floods in 2009, 2013, 2014, May 2021, June 2023, and anticipated in July 2024. There were also smaller floods recorded prior to these dates, including details related to the Old Oke Riverhouse flood.
2023 Level
In the flood history of Malgas, the significant events include the year 2008 when the flood peaked at 1985 cumec, reaching a level just over 7 meters. In 2021, the Malgas floods saw a flow peak of 740 cumec. Fast forward to June 2023, the flow peaked at 1350 cumec, with a level just over 5.3 meters. Later that year, in September 2023, the flow surged to 1787 cumec and leveled at 6.5 meters. Most recently, in July 2024, the flow peaked at 1688 cumec, with a corresponding level of 6.2 meters, highlighting the ongoing significance of the Old Oke Riverhouse flood details in understanding these events.
2023 Afterwards
Built in 2023 on a raised design, the Old Oke Riverhouse came through the 2023 and 2024 floods without damage. The May 2026 flood was far bigger and reached inside the house (see our rebuild story above). In 2008 this whole area would have been under water, and where you park your car today is where the Malgas floods once flowed freely.