‘Today is a new day’: Geelong Show organisers issue advice for attendees

After being forced to close early on Friday, Geelong Show organisers say it’s “very, very busy” on Saturday – and for those attending, don’t forget to bring your boots!

People planning to attend the Geelong Show on Saturday are being advised to wear boots following Friday’s torrential downpour that forced the event’s early closure.

Show organisers opened the gates at 9.30am Saturday and confirmed the fireworks session planned for 8.45pm would proceed.

“That rain was something else yesterday,” it posted on social media.

“The water has cleared but we would recommend boots as some areas are a little soggy.”

In a post at 10.45am, organisers added:

“We are very, very busy here today.

“Car parks are filling up but we have identified that the car parks could be a challenge for disabled so we have a drop off only zone at Gate 2.”

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An SES spokeswoman said Friday night was relatively quiet in terms of calls received after it was earlier inundated with requests for assistance.

In the 24 hours to 8am Saturday, more than 200 calls were received related to incidents in the region, but just 29 came after 5pm.

Flash flooding was widespread across Greater Geelong on Friday afternoon as multiple roads became impassable and property owners were unable to fend off the rising waters.

The weekend forecast promises some respite, with just a 30 per cent of rain on Saturday and 20 per cent on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

A maximum temperature of 19C is forecast for both days.

Earlier: SES receive over 100 calls for help during flash floods in Geelong

A “very dangerous thunderstorm” which produced intense rainfall across the region, resulted in over 100 calls for help across the Greater Geelong region on Friday.

Just before 4pm, the Bureau of Meteorology said the dangerous thunderstorm would produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was detected near Geelong City and the area south of Geelong City.

“This thunderstorm is moving towards the east. It is forecast to affect Breamlea, Drysdale and Ocean Grove by 4.05pm and northern parts of the Bellarine Peninsula and Point Lonsdale by 4.20pm,” the bureau said.

By 4pm, Geelong had recorded a total of 62.0mm of rain for the day, with the majority of rain coming within a 60-minute period from about 3pm.

At 3pm, Geelong had only recorded 10.4mm of rain, and at 3.30pm, 22.8mm of rain has been recorded.

The highest temperature recorded for Geelong on Friday was 21.8C at 2pm.

At 2.30pm Friday, they warned that the thunderstorm was likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and that life-threatening flash flooding was detected near Bannockburn and Lara.

“This thunderstorm is moving towards the southeast,” the bureau said.

Such was the extent of the rain, the Royal Geelong Show had to be called off.

The announcement, was made on social media just after 4pm on Friday afternoon and said the event was still on track for tomorrow.

“For this the first time in forever we have had to make the heart breaking decision to close the gates effective immediately,” they said.

“We have been inundated with water and must close for the safety of everyone”.

Flash Flooding at Breakwater has resulted in the closure of the Royal Geelong Show. Picture: Alan Barber

Jada Cruickshank and Dylan Day looking skyward at the Royal Geelong Show. Picture: Alan Barber

An SES crew arrived at Dew St, Whittington after flash flooding. Police had closed parts of Wilsons Rd due to flooding on Friday.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned residents in Bannockburn that they could be the subject of flash flooding.

The warning, issued just after 2pm said the area west of Bannockburn would likely be affected.

On Thursday, Geelong recorded 7.2mm of rain in the space of half an hour from 5pm, which also resulted in flash flooding and people requiring assistance at their homes.

A spokeswoman for the SES said between 5pm Thursday and 7am Friday morning, SES crews were called out to 15 incidents, more than 10 of them occurring between 5pm and 6pm on Thursday.

Motorists drive through floodwater at the intersection of Wilsons Rd and Dew St, Whittington. Police had closed parts of Wilsons Rd due to flooding on Friday.

The spokeswoman said most of these were reportedly for damage to homes, with one flash flood and one tree down.

She said there was no significant damage to any homes, as they were mainly short and sharp nuisances such as water in people’s garages.

A number of local roads were also closed on Thursday afternoon as a result of the heavy rainfall, with reports of flooding slowing traffic on roads in the region on Friday

Flooding on Melbourne Rd. Picture: Alison Wynd

The weather is expected to clear in Geelong over the weekend, with temperatures in the high teens forecast.

Originally published as ‘Today is a new day’: Geelong Show organisers issue advice for attendees