Victorians urged to prepare for widespread flooding, high winds and heavy rain as intense weather event bears down on the state
- Up to 100mm of rain is expected across Victoria in ‘significant weather event’
- Premier Daniel Andrews warned residents to prepare for flooding on Thursday
- Residents in flood prone areas urged to prepare for up to 72 hours of isolation
Residents in Victoria are being urged to prepare for wild weather as a ‘significant rain event’ batters the state.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Premier Daniel Andrews warned Victorians of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and high winds causing flooding in parts of the state.
The wet weather is forecast to start on Wednesday and ‘intensify in force’ on Thursday with up to 100mm of rain expected to fall.
Premier Daniel Andrews during a press conference warned residents of a ‘significant rain event’ bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding (pictured)
‘Our catchments are full, we have had record rainfall up until this point and that the ground is absolutely sodden so even a minor amount of rain would be a risk in terms of flooding – but it’s not a minor rain event that we are forecasting,’ Mr Andrews said.
‘It will be significant rainfall in certain parts of the state and that will pose a flooding risk to lots of communities in different places.’
Senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology Kevin Parkin said his concern was a ‘short-term flash flood’ risk caused by intense rainfall on Thursday followed by a ‘longer-term’ riverine flooding risk as waters filter down the state’s river systems.
Mr Parkin explained the rain event was caused by tropical moisture building up over the top-end of Australia coupled with a third consecutive year of La Nina.
‘I can’t stress the importance that Thursday is very much a flash flood, heavy rain day, so be prepared,’ Mr Parkin said.
‘We will be dealing with a riverine flooding as the next several days unfold.
‘it’s not just about rain though, often with these weather systems they get accompanied by strong winds and damaging wind gusts affecting elevated locations.’
At least 20mm of rain is expected in Melbourne and Geelong, with some areas in the north-east of the state expecting up to 100mm.
Mr Parkin said between 60mm to 100mm of rainfall is expected around the Great Dividing Range while wind speeds are predicted to reach speeds of 90km/h to 100km/h.
The wet weather is forecasted to start on Wednesday and ‘intensify in force’ on Thursday with up to 100mm of rain expected to fall (pictured, Bureau of Meteorology rainfall forecast)
Nine flood warnings have been issued across the state including for the Goulburn, Avoca and Loddon rivers (pictured)
There are nine flood warnings across the state including for the Goulburn, Avoca and Loddon rivers.
The community is urged to remain vigilant and prepare themselves for isolation, with residents in flood-prone areas warned of potential isolation lasting up to 72 hours.
Victoria State Emergency Service Tim Wiebusch advised residents to be on notice and keep watch for weather warnings.
Mr Wiebusch said drivers should not try to enter any level of floodwaters and advised residents to prepare their home for heavy rain and strong winds.
‘Now is the time to be cleaning out your storm pits and gutters around your house and make sure you don’t have any debris lying around your house that may become a missile during strong winds,’ Mr Wiebusch said.
Flood-prone communities are being urged to prepare for potential isolation of up to 72 hours (pictured, people observing flood water in Traralgon, Victoria)
Residents have been asked not to drive into floodwater under any circumstances (pictured, abandoned car in flood waters in Traralgon, Victoria)
Mr Andrews also said the government has prepared ‘community containers’ for areas isolated by floodwaters, which has enough food, water and supplies for 50 people for five days.
A fleet of emergency vehicles – including six new helicopters – is on standby to assist with airlifting supplies, equipment and emergency personnel and more than 200 generators are available to help with power outages.
In just one hour, a downpour on Friday caused flash flooding and delivered more than half of Melbourne’s October average rainfall.
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