Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in East Gippsland, Northern Country, North East and parts of Central, North Central and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.

Issued at 9:04 am Monday, 8 January 2024.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL IS OCCURRING ACROSS NORTHERN AND EASTERN VICTORIA.

Weather Situation: Showers and thunderstorms continue across Victoria during this morning as a slow moving low pressure system tracks eastwards across the state in a very moist environment.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Northern Country, North Central, Central, North East, West & South Gippsland and East Gippsland districts. Rain and thunderstorms are occurring across this region and will continue through today. The focus of the rainfall will shift across Gippsland during the afternoon. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 70 mm are likely.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible during this period with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 100 mm.
The focus of heavy, locally intense rainfall is forecast to progress eastwards across the state and ease below warning thresholds during late Monday afternoon.

A Flood Watch and Flood Warnings are current for large parts of Victoria. Please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Bendigo, Echuca, Shepparton, Seymour, Wodonga and Wangaratta.

Redesdale recorded 60mm in the 3 hours to 1:30am.
Flowerdale recorded 60mm in the 6 hours to 4:30am.
Pyalong recorded 42mm in the 6 hours to 5:30pm.
Heathcote recorded 52mm in the 6 hours to 3:30am.
Hilldene recorded 45mm in the 6 hours to 5:00pm
Puckapunyal recorded 67mm in the 12 hours to 10:30pm.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.