Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 1:17 pm EDT on Monday 2 October 2023

Flood Watch Number: 1

MINOR TO MODERATE WITH ISOLATED MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM WEDNESDAY

A cold front is forecast to cross Victoria during Tuesday, with a low pressure system then developing over eastern Victoria on Wednesday. The low is then forecast to move over the Tasman Sea on Thursday.

Catchments across Victoria have been drying out over the last few months. Catchments in East Gippsland are generally dry. Lower parts of catchments in West Gippsland, eastern Central and North East are dry, although some elevated areas in these catchments remain wet.

Showers developing into rain is forecast for Tuesday across eastern Victoria, with heavy falls and isolated thunderstorms forecast over the ranges. During Wednesday moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast over eastern Victoria. Rain and showers are expected to ease during Thursday.

Minor to moderate flooding is possible from Wednesday in the North East, eastern Central and Gippsland catchments. Isolated major flooding is possible in some North East and Gippsland catchments.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Bemm, Cann and Genoa Rivers
Snowy River
Tambo River
Mitchell River
Avon River
Macalister River
Thomson River
Latrobe River
South Gippsland Rivers
Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek
Yarra River to Coldstream
Yarra River downstream of Coldstream
Upper Murray and Mitta Mitta Rivers
Kiewa River
Ovens and King Rivers

The Bureau of Meteorology is continuing to monitor the situation and will issue catchment specific warnings as required.

See www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings to view the current warnings for Victoria.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
Note: This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.

SES advises that all community members should:

Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater, Never allow children to play in floodwater, Stay away from waterways and stormwater drains during and after heavy rain, Keep well clear of fallen power lines Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

Current Emergency Information is available at http://emergency.vic.gov.au For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Current Road and Traffic Information is available at the VicRoads website:

http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

Weather Forecast:

For the latest weather forecast see http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/

River Height and Rainfall information are available on the Bureau of Meteorology web site at http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/

Flood Warnings and Flood Watches for Victorian Catchments are also available on: Telephone Weather Service No. 1300 659217.

Rainfall and River Conditions Map