Flood-affected Victorians may have to wait another week for power to be restored as they pick up the pieces from last week’s wild storms.
More than 26,000 homes and businesses are still without electricity.
There are currently two flood warnings in place for the Latrobe River and the Thomson River.
Acting Premier James Merlino said yesterday financial assistance would be available to eligible Victorians impacted by floods and storm damage.
“We have got this for residential homes, getting people back on their feet, back in their homes as quickly as possible,” he said.
Financial aid of up to $42,250 will be available to those who qualify for the payment.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said authorities had visited hundreds of properties following the severe weather.
“My latest advice is that those impact assessment teams have visited almost 600 properties, and there are about 140 but have been impacted in one way or another,” he said.
“We will continue to do that impact assessment work, working closely with local government to make sure we marry up that information.”
Yallourn Power Station is responsible for roughly a third of the state’s electricity and three generators were taken offline after heavy rain caused flooding and landslides.
Unions and workers at the plant estimated there was just three days’ worth of reserves.
“The company was very concerned that if they had water ingress into their mine, they may damage equipment and endanger personnel,” Mark Richards from the CFMEU said.
“The long-term supply issues are what they’re trying to maintain, and as soon as the water stops flooding in, it’ll be a case of firing up the plant and getting the four units back up and running.”
Since then, the Victorian Government has attempted to alleviate concerns, assuring residents that there is enough energy to maintain the state’s winter demand.
Authorities have continued to warn people to stay clear of floodwaters and practice extreme caution at affected regions, urging drivers especially to remain alert, as just 15cm of water is enough to sweep vehicles off roads.