Town pulls together after flash flooding

An emergency relief centre was activated in Lorne on Thursday night after intense rainfall triggered evacuations and cut key road links along the Great Ocean Road.

More than 175mm of rain was recorded in the six hours to 3pm at nearby Mount Crowley yesterday, with flood impacts felt across Lorne, Wye River and Separation Creek.

A spokesperson from the State Control Centre said in the past 24 hours the Lorne SES Unit had been called to 22 requests for assistance. Of those, three were rescue requests.

 

 

Assessments are still underway to determine the full extent of the damage, but the spokesperson said the centre was aware of dozens of vehicles, including cars and caravans, being impacted by the flood water. Video captured by both locals and holidaymakers on the ground yesterday showed several cars were swept out to the ocean.

“Holidaymakers in the area should check conditions before travelling in and around the area,” the spokesperson said.

“Flood water is dangerous – never walk, ride or drive through it. Even shallow water can be fast-moving and conceal debris, damaged roads, unstable ground or contamination.”

About 200 people sought assistance from the Surf Coast Shire’s emergency relief centre at Stribling Reserve, most of them evacuees from nearby caravan parks. Many were later collected by friends or family, or accepted offers of accommodation from local residents.

 

 

About 40 people spent the night at the Lorne Surf Life Saving Club, while a small number remained at the relief centre, which will continue to operate until further notice.

The Great Ocean Road remains closed in both directions today between Lorne and Skenes Creek due to flood damage, with access restricted to emergency services only.

Surf Coast mayor Libby Stapleton thanked the emergency services and local community for their response.

“The local community was amazing yesterday and last night, rallying to support those in need,” she said.

“Lorne Surf Life Saving Club opened its doors to people needing shelter as did the Stribling Reserve community asset committee, which opened the pavilion for immediate shelter before it was officially activated as an emergency relief centre.

 

 

“We had the op shop and school donating blankets and clothes and Feed Me Surf Coast sent a van full of food.

“Many people in the community offered their help or made their homes available for people to stay in overnight – it’s been a great example of a local community pulling together at a time of need.”

Lorne P-12 College was called in to assist during the emergency, helping transport stranded families from Cumberland River back to Stribling Reserve.

Staff and volunteers completed multiple trips, safely moving about 100 families, while additional buses were used to shuttle people between the surf club and the relief centre.

 

 

The shire has advised further donations of food and clothing are not required at the relief centre at this time. Clothing donations can be made at the Lorne op shop.

Efforts have shifted straight into recovery, and council crews are out inspecting trees, roads and other infrastructure, and undertaking temporary repairs where it is safe to do so.

“Our priority is still the wellbeing and safety of everyone impacted,” Stapleton said.

“Please follow emergency advice about returning to affected areas and avoid flood waters today.

 

 

“Thank you again to emergency services, community members and volunteers for your continuing efforts.”

Communities remain on alert, with more rain forecast in the coming days.

Just 75km away, on the other side of the Otway Ranges, emergency service crews continue to battle the bushfires that were sparked by lightning a week ago.

On Thursday, a bushfire that has been raging for days at Kennedys Creek was finally declared under control. Crews are still working to contain two other nearby bushfires.