Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 10:38 am EDT on Wednesday 4 October 2023

Flood Watch Number: 5

MINOR TO MAJOR FLOODING OCCURRING IN PARTS OF EASTERN VICTORIA

FLOODING LIKELY TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE FLOOD WATCH AREA ON WEDNESDAY

A cold front will continue to cross eastern parts of Victoria Wednesday morning before an associated low pressure system begins to deepen over eastern Victorian during Wednesday. This low is forecast to move over the Tasman Sea on Thursday.

River levels are elevated across multiple locations following recent rainfall.

Further rainfall is forecast, particularly in eastern parts of Victoria, for the remainder of Wednesday and into Thursday.

A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall is current for eastern Victoria.

Minor to major flood warnings are current for the Macalister, Goulburn, Bunyip, Latrobe, Yarra, Kiewa, Ovens and King Rivers, and the Seven and Castle Creeks.

Flooding is likely to continue to develop across the flood watch area during Wednesday and into Thursday.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Bemm, Cann and Genoa Rivers

Snowy River

Tambo River

Mitchell River

Avon River

Macalister River
(Major flood warning current)

Thomson River

Latrobe River
(Minor flood warning current)

South Gippsland Rivers

Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek
(Minor flood warning current for Bunyip)

Yarra River to Coldstream
(Moderate flood warning current)

Yarra River downstream of Coldstream
(Minor flood warning current)

Upper Murray and Mitta Mitta Rivers

Kiewa River
(Minor flood warning current)

Ovens and King Rivers
(Moderate flood warning current)

Broken River

Seven and Castle Creeks
(Moderate flood warning current)

Goulburn River Eildon to Seymour
(Moderate flood warning current)

Goulburn River downstream of Seymour

Murray River to Tocumwal

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