Full flooding impact to be determined in next few days says Premier

VICTORIAN Premier Jacinta Allan led a press conference this afternoon addressing the impact of the heavy rainfall on the region and state.

Held at the Bendigo Incident Control Centre in Epsom, Ms Allan said as the brunt of the weather was passing through the state the focus was shifting to supporting the communities and households affected.

“As we’ve seen from the reports today, communities like Heathcote, Goornong, Redesdale, here in Central Victoria, but also across to Rochester and Seymour have been particularly affected and may be also potentially affected over the coming days as the floodwater rises,” she said.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, in the 24 hours up to 9am on this morning, a total of 181 millimetres of rain fell across parts of the flood watch area including central and northern areas and Gippsland.

Rainfall is forecast to ease over the rest of today and tomorrow, but flood warnings are in place for several rivers in the area including the Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca and Goulburn rivers.

Ms Allan said it was too early to say how many people’s homes had been affected by flooding but said more information would be available over the next few days.

“As the weather starts to clear, as we get roads reopened and be able to go in, the response teams can go in and do those important impact assessments,” she said.

“As impact assessments are done over the course of today and into tomorrow that will give a lot of advice and information on the next best steps to provide additional support, particularly as we move into the relief phase for those affected communities and households.”

Ms Allan said a security and emergencies cabinet meeting will be held tonight to guide Government advice on what other supports can be offered.

Many roads in the area are closed due to flooding or flood damage and Ms Allan said work is being done “as quickly as possible” to get them reopened.

“The VicTraffic website provides critical information on roads that may be closed as a consequence of water being over the road or roads that are flooded,” she said.

“Please do monitor the VicEmergency app or website, it’s a really valuable source of information, particularly in the event of an emergency, be it flood, fire, wind…”

Ms Allan urged people to not attempt to drive into floodwaters.

“Please consider your own safety, that of your family and anyone else who might be in the vehicle with you, but also consider the safety of the emergency responders who may need to come out in a really critical, difficult situation,” she said.

The three relief centres open in the area are at the Seymour Sports & Aquatic Centre in Chittick Park on Pollard Street at Seymour, Yea Shire Hall on High Street at Yea, and the Echuca Basketball Stadium at 244 High Street South at Echuca.

At 7.30pm a City of Greater Bendigo spokesperson said the relief centre at the Bendigo Showground had been closed.

Ms Allan said eight people had been at the Bendigo Showgrounds relief centre at the time of the meeting.

For the latest updates on the situation, visit emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/.

Authorities advised that before leaving your home, check the VicEmergency website for advice on the safest steps to take.