Thousands of Victorians told not to return home as floodwaters rise, days after bushfires

Residents of one state have been hit by two weather extremes this week, with thousands forced to leave their homes.

Victoria has been lashed by two weather extremes over the last week as extreme storms are expected to extinguish bushfires despite causing dangerous flooding.

Several fires were burning at the emergency warning level through Gippsland earlier in the week, forcing residents out of their homes under evacuation orders.

Though a downpour of rain over the last 24 hours has quickly flipped the Victoria Emergency warning map from fires to flood watch.

Thousands have been told it’s “not safe to return” to their home as floodwaters rise in Tinamba and Newry, about 200km east of Melbourne.

Road damage in East Gippsland where floodwaters have overwhelmed the bridge at the Blue Duck (Anglers Rest). Picture: Facebook

The damage has closed the Omeo Highway between Omeo and Mitta. Picture: Facebook

“An evacuation warning remains current. It is still not safe to return,” a message on VicEmergency reads.

Lake Glenmaggie is continuing to release 56,000 megalitres of water a day.

“If you are located in Tinamba, Tinamba West, Newry a separate Evacuate Immediately warning was issued on VicEmergency,” a message on the VicEmergency website reads.

Major flood warnings are currently in place for the Macalister, Mitchell, Ovens and King rivers.

The Macalister River downstream of Lake Glenmaggie peaked at 6.96 metres around 1.30am on Thursday 05 October and is experiencing major flooding.

There are 50 flood warnings in place across Victoria. Picture: VicEmergency

The river is expected to slowly ease through the day but remain above the major flood level (5.30m) into the afternoon due to planned releases from Lake Glenmaggie.

Up to 80mm of rainfall was observed in the Mitchell River catchment in the 24 hours to 1am on Thursday.

The river is currently at 3.88 metres and rising, above the minor flood level and expected to reach the major flood level (5.50m) by late Thursday morning.

Community members are being warned to stay away from waterways and never drive through flooded roads.

Floods have surrounded the Tinamba Hotel. Picture: Facebook

Regions that have recently been impacted by fires are also warned that waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

Meanwhile in Sydney, damaging winds have lead to the cancellation of more than 100 domestic flights.

Damaging south-westerly wind gusts of up to 90 km/h are forecast across parts of the Snowy Mountains and South Coast districts until early Thursday afternoon.

Originally published as Thousands of Victorians told not to return home as floodwaters rise, days after bushfires