Melbourne weather: Wild storms hit Lilydale, Tecoma, Mooroolbark
Part of Warburton Highway has collapsed, with huge cracks appearing, as heavy rain causes chaos on Yarra Ranges roads.
Outer East
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Multiple roads have been closed as heavy rain hits the Yarra Ranges, while the flood clean up in Maribyrnong is expected to take weeks.
Huge cracks have developed in part of Warburton Highway in Warburton, forcing authorities to shut the road on Friday afternoon.
“VicRoads will be closing Warburton Highway and diverting traffic onto Old Warburton Road and out onto Park Road, Warburton,” Yarra Ranges Council said in an update.
“Motorists are advised to remain cautious of compromised road conditions following our recent floods and intense periods of rain.”
It comes as more rain is predicted for the region, with up to 30mm forecast to fall across the city’s eastern suburbs on Friday with the heaviest falls expected for the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges.
Other flooded or closed roads include Coldstream West Rd, near Victoria Rd and Melba Highway at McIntyre Lane Yering.
Yarra Junction has been smashed with some of the worst flooding the town has ever seen, with businesses and cars left under water.
Intense rainfall on Thursday night caused flooding in the Main St of the town, with water seen gushing out of businesses.
The Upper Yarra SES Unit said heavy rain saw a large portion of Warburton Highway flooded which impacted multiple local traders, with “a very flooded main street”.
SES volunteers described the water at the rear carpark in the town as being “well over a metre deep” in sections.
This water then flowed from the rear of the buildings, through the shops and out onto the highway, the SES said.
Volunteers rushed into stores they could access to help move possessions to higher ground as the water poured out windows and doors.
Launching Place resident Aven Stewart was at the scene and said all the shops on the southern side of the road, including the medical centre, newsagents, and the arcade, had major flooding. “It was a torrent running right through the whole lot. All the building doors were wide open with half a metre of filthy muddy water gushing out,” he said.
“Shop and building owners were very distraught, but helping each other where possible, documenting and contacting their insurance companies.
“Some have lost a lot within minutes. There was no time to even move a brand-new car … it was too late for them, as it came too fast.”
Meanwhile VicEmergency issued a moderate flood warning for the Yarra River from Coldstream to Warrandyte on Friday morning.
It said water levels of the Yarra River and Watts River at various locations are rising following periods of heavy rainfall.
Yarra Ranges Council urged motorists to be aware of the possibility of floodwater flowing over local roads, particularly Melba Highway around Yering and Yarra Glen.
Roads in Coldstream and Healesville are already under water.
And residents are also reporting dangerous potholes across Yarra Ranges after the flooding.
Residents have taken action to warn motorists of dangerous potholes on Hull Rd in Mooroolbark, placing safety bollards in the holes after several drivers had their cars damaged.
Nicholas Higgins said three cars heading into Mooroolbark had two flat tyres each after hitting the holes.
“One of the bollards was already in one (of the potholes) and I made the decision to put the second one in for safety as you can’t see them at night,” he said.
“If an emergency vehicle was attending an incident and hit the pothole you would have this vehicle off the road.
“Plus it’s not just about a flat tyre it’s also wheel and suspension damage.”
It comes as Yarra Ranges residents and business owners have shared photos and vision of the destructive storm that swept through the area on Tuesday.
The “really intense rainfall” around Lilydale delivered 70mm – with 40mm falling in just 30 minutes.
The deluge hit at about 4.30pm and sent cars floating down highways, with many submerged drivers being caught off guard and forced to swim to safety.
The owner of Lux Aesthetics, a cosmetic injectables and skin clinic in William St, said she was “devastated and heartbroken” after her clinic flooded.
Restaurant Hendriks also shared vision of Lilydale Main Street under water, near Lilydale station, while Hazelvale Rd Tecoma resembled a river as flood water rushed down the road.
Yarra Ranges Council said it was working through a significant number of calls for assistance due to flash flooding, drainage issues and road closures.
Several landslips have also been reported, impacting roads and access to properties.
Coldstream – Maroondah Highway and Ingram Road
The Lilydale SES received more than 200 call for help, including 24 rescue calls.
Hazelvale Road Tecoma
McNichol Road Tecoma
Maribrynong
Meanwhile, efforts to clean up flood-affected communities around the Maribyrnong River are expected to continue for weeks.
About 250 homes were flooded on October 14 after heavy rains led the river to burst its banks.
Maribyrnong City chief executive Celia Haddock said almost 2000 tonnes of waste has been collected from streets surrounding the river by council staff and volunteers.
She said about 160 tonnes of mud and 42,000 tonnes of debris have also been removed from drains, roads and open spaces.
“Council’s focus is on the mammoth clean-up efforts, and we are still assessing the costs,” she said.
“The clean-up efforts are ongoing and expected to be complete in the coming weeks, and we are working closely with volunteers and Government bodies for support.”
Some affected residents have raised the possibility of legal action against the Victoria Racing Club, believing the 3m floodwater wall around Flemington Racecourse exacerbated the severity of the flood.
Last week, Melbourne Water confirmed they would conduct a review of the decision to grant approval for the wall in 2007 and examine if it had an impact on the devastation.
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said the clean up will take a long time.
“We are working our way progressively through the flood area cleaning up as we go,” he said.
“There is still a long road ahead of us, but we are doing all we can to help our community get through this, together.
“I could not be more proud of the way our community has come together to support impacted residents in their hour of need.”
Affected residents can access free hazard inspections of their property by calling 1800 560 760.
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