‘This is going to break a lot of people’: Nearly every house in Rochester inundated

The Campaspe River finally peaked but the muddy floodwater continued streaming through Rochester on Saturday, wearing on the stoicism of many who decided to stay.

Some residents fought through the night to save their homes while others evacuated as the worst floods in living memory devastated the north Victorian town.

Tom Collins and mate Tim Tyler rescuing Max and Julia Hastilow from their Rochester home.Credit: Justin McManus

When day broke, some locals took to dinghies to rescue trapped residents, while others waded through the streets pushing against the relentless flow.

The devastating news that one of their own had died hung over the town.

Police confirmed emergency services were called to reports that a 71-year-old man was found dead in floodwater in his backyard about 9am on Saturday. But SES crews and police were still trying to access the blocked-off property.

The water was slowly receding from the roads on Saturday night.

But the town’s east and west remained cut off with connecting roads still under deep water and unlikely to open soon.

SES Rochester controller Tim Williams said the town was submerged: “Every single house in town will have water.”

He said this disaster was “ridiculously different” to the devastating 2011 floods because many of those who evacuated this year had remained dry in the earlier event.

The Campaspe River at Rochester peaked about midnight Friday. It was still holding steady on Saturday evening and was not expected to fall significantly before Monday.

Floodwaters devastate the town of Rochester in central Victoria.Credit: Justin McManus

Rochester Motel co-owner Meagan Keating said she had made the correct decision to stay and defend the business with her husband, Matt.

Yet, she was unsure whether she would remain next week when more heavy rain is forecast.

While the motel was spared during the catastrophic 2011 floods, this time the strength of the water surprised Keating.

“You never had a sense last night that it stopped, or it peaked,” she said on Saturday afternoon. “There was an element of fear and anxiety.”

Victor Jones and son Michael evacuate Victor’s brother-in-law, Rob Ives, from his home next to the river. Credit: Justin McManus

By that evening, the Keatings had considered leaving on a boat as the water rose in the motel car park.

But after discussing the potential risks of driving a boat through flooded streets at night, they agreed to stay.

By Friday night, the floodwater was surging through the streets creating rapids around road signs, carrying off large bins, logs and even a hay bale.

But it spread out slowly, creating false hope that it could be stopped or that the river would peak and spare any further damage.

Rochester motel owner Matthew Keating in the flooded reception area.Credit: Justin McManus

By early evening, the water had crept through the sandbag wall built across the motel’s driveway and around the back of the property, infiltrating the guest rooms until it covered the floor.

“We were really lucky it wasn’t ridiculously deep and that’s thanks to the sandbags,” Keating said.

Unlike a bushfire or thunderstorm, this flood approached quietly, babbling as it streamed past on the road. Once it reached the rooms, there was a constant bubble, like a boiling pot, as the water pushed into the motel rooms’ air vents and up through the shower drains.

Glenys Mulcahy, who spoke to The Age as her house flooded, confirmed she and her husband Brian were safe after leaving their home when water reached about 14 inches up the walls.

In 2011, the water rose about six inches inside.

They were taken to an evacuation centre in Bendigo about 3.30am on Saturday and Mulcahy said they were being well looked after by emergency services.

“I think it really helps you to get through it all,” she said. “It’s beautiful here.”

Mulcahy said they would repair the house, but expected it would take much longer this time because so many people in town had been flooded and required tradespeople.

“We’ll be right. A lot of people are really positive. We’ve still got our lives,” she said.

Local newsagent co-owner Kim Dingwall said she decided to evacuate when water rose quickly in her front yard.

“It was full in no time,” she said. “The wall of water that came was unbelievable. There’s no way you could prepare for that.”

Resident Amanda Logie, who was helping a friend move some belongings out of their house on Saturday afternoon, said the community would need much help with the clean-up and then rebuilding afterwards.

She said the disaster had shaken her normally positive attitude.

“This is going to break a lot of people,” she said.

Rain is forecast to revisit Rochester from Wednesday and get heavier towards the end of the week.

While many residents have evacuated, those who stayed will have to consider whether they can withstand another deluge.

Logie said another flood would have devastating consequences.

“If the river does what it’s just done there will be more than one death,” she said.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.