Flood threat for Victoria, including Melbourne, on Sunday, Monday: See where heaviest falls are expected

Heavy rain is set to soak large parts of Victoria on Sunday and Monday, leading to possible flooding and urgent safety warnings — especially to campers and those living near waterways.

Huge parts of Victoria have been advised to prepare for floods on Sunday and Monday, with rainfall of up to 200mm possible in some areas.

An official flood watch has been declared for central and northern Victoria due to the “extreme weather event”.

“It’s incredible. That’s what you would normally see in somewhere like Queensland,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Michael Efron said.

“Given the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, we could actually see totals (of) around 200mm through the north and north east,” Mr Efron said.

The huge amount of rain forecast could lead to flooding, with many river catchments ready to overflow after one of the wettest Christmases on record.

Rain is set to soak large parts of Victoria. Picture: Brendan Beckett

State Emergency Service chief officer Tim Wiebusch said the rain was set to start on Sunday afternoon or evening and continue through Monday, with flash flooding possible — particularly in northern parts of the state.

“We could even see that in metropolitan Melbourne sometime between midnight Sunday through to midday on Monday,” he said.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued an additional severe weather warning on Sunday morning for “heavy, locally intense rainfall” in the state’s north and north east.

Locations which may be affected include Echuca, Shepparton, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Bright and Falls Creek, according to the Bureau.

The region is expected to be the “focus” of the heaviest rainfall across the state from Sunday evening to Monday morning.

A weather warning has been issued for areas in the north and northeast of Victoria. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

Not driving through flood waters was one of the most important things Victorians could do to keep themselves and rescue workers safe, Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said.

“You’ve got a car, not a boat,” Mr Nugent said.

“We just can’t emphasise it enough, do not drive through flood waters.”

Even roads that people were familiar with could become incredibly dangerous when flooded, he said.

Victorians are being warned not to drive through floodwaters. Picture: Facebook

People living beside rivers or streams should be prepared to leave their homes and move to higher ground if necessary, and should monitor the VicEmergency and Bureau of Meteorology apps and websites, Mr Nugent said.

Campers should have an escape plan in place and be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

“Don’t camp under trees … do everything possible to not camp under trees,” he said.

Mr Wiebusch said people camping along rivers and streams needed to be prepared to relocate as soon as heavy rain started.

“Don’t wait for warnings,” he said.

Campers have been warned to not set up under trees and to leave as soon as heavy rain starts. Picture: Emily Godfrey

Heavy rain and thunderstorms were likely to start developing on Sunday. The stormy weather was expected to continue throughout Sunday evening and Monday, with the worst of the rainfall hopefully over by Tuesday.

The flood watch warning extends from the Mornington Peninsula all the way up to Swan Hill, north west to Nhill and north east to Wodonga and the high country.

Only Gippsland, Geelong and the Surf Coast are exempt from the flood warnings, although heavy rain is forecast across the state.