Floods strand hundreds as rivers peak

FIVE hundred homes have flooded, the same number again have been isolated, and about nine-and-a-half-thousand are without power across Victoria as recent rain events continue to have an impact.

Torrential rain has affected regional and metropolitan areas alike, while authorities warn sodden catchments will mean weeks of flood risk.

Evacuation orders are in place for the town of Rochester along the Campaspe River, north of Melbourne, the central goldfields town of Carisbrook near Maryborough, Skinners Flat in Wedderburn, and Seymour on the Goulburn River.

Strong, fast-moving water from the dam a metre deep was expected to course through the town via the Calder Highway, authorities said on Friday.

Meanwhile, about 70 residents have also been told to leave Maribyrnong in inner Melbourne.

The State Emergency Service has responded to more than 2600 requests for help in 24 hours and carried out at least 200 flood rescues during the past two days.

State commander Josh Gamble said complacency was the main reason for people getting into trouble.

“Many of these people are putting their own lives at risk, their own children in some circumstances, but more importantly, other community members and responders and that’s in all parts of the state not just metropolitan areas,” he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced one-off payments of $560 per adult and $280 per child for people displaced by the floods.

About 1500 applications had been made by Friday afternoon.

He urged Victorians to heed warnings.

“Please do not drive into floodwater,” Mr Andrews said.

“We have had more than 200 rescues and many of those could have been prevented. The key point here is it’s very dangerous for you and it’s also very dangerous for the emergency services.”

A Victoria SES spokesperson said more than 50 sandbag collection points had been established, with more becoming available throughout the state.

Multiple emergency relief centres have been set up including in Bendigo, Seymour, Echuca, Wedderburn, and Maryborough.

Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters responded to a weather-related incident in Greensborough after broken and low-hanging powerlines impacted about 50 homes.

Anglers Tavern, on the banks of Melbourne’s Maribyrnong River, was partially submerged following the unprecedented overnight rain.

“At this stage we don’t have access to it,” a spokeswoman said.

“Obviously there has been flood damage to the venue and we’ll assess that once we have access – hopefully tomorrow depending on the weather.”

Federal Labor member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten, said the situation was devastating.

“It’s really upsetting for residents in my local community,” he said.

“These are areas where I’ve lived for the last 30 years. The last big floods were in 1974, so for a lot of people this would be a new and devastating experience.”

Opposition leader Matthew Guy has called on the Government to declare a state of emergency.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken to the Premier about using the $580 million Mickleham quarantine facility as emergency accommodation a week after it was officially closed.

There have been traffic delays across Victoria due to road closures.

V/Line trains and replacement buses were cancelled on the Shepparton, Seymour, Albury, Echuca, and Swan Hill lines.

The town of Seymour is facing its highest flood level since 1974.

Authorities also expect Shepparton to experience its worst flood in almost three decades on Saturday afternoon.

For the most up to date information on the current statewide flooding situation visit emergency.vic.gov.au.

Check the VicRoads website for a full list of road closures and the VLine page for updated public transport info.

– WITH AAP