The emergency flood situation across Victoria is continuing to intensify as it becomes “too late to leave” for residents in Shepparton and Mooroopna.
Fourteen major emergency warnings are in place, with a focus on the state’s north-east where the Goulburn, Campaspe and Murray rivers are near their peaks.
Speaking at the State Control Centre, Premier Daniel Andrews warned there are “really significant challenges” for flooded communities in the coming days due to the expected rainfall.
“We’ve had a massive rain event, so that’s our starting point. We’re going to get more rain off that higher base,” he said.
“This is a little bit different to other flood events on record, in terms of the magnitude, because it is bigger.
“But also it’s a kind of rolling flood event. What we’re going to see is more and more (flooding) so that presents a unique challenge.”
Residents in Bunbartha and Charlton have been urged to evacuate, while those in Orrvale, Murchison, Kialla West and Mooroopna are advised “it’s too late to leave” and to “shelter in the highest location possible”.
“The situation is horrible, just seeing people’s homes and businesses under water,” she said.
“Seeing animals roaming the streets soaking wet and not able to go anywhere else.
“Not having supplies to help people in need, it’s just horrific.”
Kangaroo ‘caked in mud’ found in flood zone
Nolan said her home has been completely flooded.
“The water came up so fast. We left Sunday morning at 5am and the water was only at our ankles.
“We returned to our home around 2pm-3pm and it was above hip height and slowly rising.
“We are not capable of getting near our home without a boat now.”
There’s also major concern for the regional centre of Shepparton today, with the Goulburn River expected to peak at a record 12.2 metres.
But Today reporter Christine Ahern explained another situation is unfolding as saturated catchments merge into one other.
“It’s sitting just under that at the moment but we have a situation where creeks are converging with the river system and the water is also coming up through the drains,” she said.
“The prediction from authorities is over 7000 homes will be impacted in the Greater Shepparton area; 2500 of those inundated.”
Kerang could be next the town to be cut off, according to SES chief Tim Wiebusch.
Wiebusch said residents living in Kerang should be “preparing themselves” to potentially be isolated for more than a week.
“We’re asking the Kerang community to consider whether they should now be moving to another location, given that peak is expected Wednesday into Thursday,” he said.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the peak will hit “later today”.
“Our focus is on ongoing rescues in the Shepparton, Mooroopna area,” he said.
“With Echuca we had the first peak, slightly receding at the moment but we know when the water from the Goulburn hits the Murray, we will have a second peak Wednesday or Tuesday in Echuca, so very focused on that.
“And looking at the communities north of Charlton where we have an evacuation order in place.”
The SES says they have performed more than 650 flood rescues during this event, which started last Thursday.
About 100 have been performed overnight, specically around the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley district, Wiebusch said.
“We continue to see a significant number of rescues occurring,” he said.
The world’s rivers are drying up from extreme weather
An alert was issued to residents in low-lying areas along the Campaspe River from Barnadown to Rochester to move to higher ground as the river is still in major flood.
His wife was trapped in the property and evacuated following the discovery.
Dozens of homes are already underwater at Echuca, with the Campaspe River peaking yesterday afternoon.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Chrissy Weller said between 400 to 1000 homes could be impacted by the second peak at Echuca.
“As the Campaspe has come into here, into Echuca, it hits the Murray,” she said.
“For the river it is like hitting a brick wall because the Murray is up so high.
“It was 94.23 at 5 this morning at Echuca , at the wharf, and 94.4 is our major flood level.
“And we have got the Goulburn then with flood rates coming in in two days time.
“We know it is not over here for us at Echuca, as obviously rain as well as the actual Murray River water comes down past us.”
And the neighbouring townships of Mooroopna and Kialla are cut off from each other.
Mooroopna’s power station had to be switched off yesterday as it went under, so thousands of residents will be without power for days.
Dozens of roads have been closed across the state after floodwater inundated them.
About 100 defence personnel have been deployed to the state to help with evacuations and sandbagging.
Flooding across Tasmania’s north and north-east is also causing destruction.
There are several flood warnings still in effect for the state with areas around the Meander River and Macquarie River on highest alert.
Floods are also threatening central western NSW, with 75 SES warnings in place across the state.
“The focus over the next 24 hours will be the mid Murray and Edward Rivers,” it said in a statement.
“Flood levels have already exceeded the 2016 levels and are looking to exceed the 1993 flood levels at Ecucha and Moama. Other locations significantly affected include Forbes, Narrandera, Wee Waa, Warren, Nanami, Jemalong and Barham.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced one-off flood payments for flood victims across Tasmania and Victoria.
The affected can access payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.
“”This support is of course small compensation but it does mean people are getting that support on the ground and we will make that available,” he said.
“And that information will be available from [Sunday] afternoon to ensure the money can flow immediately.”
The payments come in addition to disaster recovery allowances already available in the states.
