Flood warning for Victoria as wild weather soaks entire state

Residents in Victoria’s northeast are being told to prepare for flooding with heavy rainfall lashing the region, while Melburnians are on alert for minor flooding.

Melburnians have been warned to watch for potential flooding. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Residents in Victoria’s northeast were on Thursday morning being told to prepare for flooding, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds lashing the region.

The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled its severe weather warning for Victoria’s northeast after the cold front started to clear later in the morning.

A severe weather warning was also issued for parts of East Gippsland, northern country, north central and West and South Gippsland districts, with a strong band of rain continuing to sweep through.

⚠️ #FloodWatch issued for parts of #Victoria. Minor and isolated moderate flooding may develop from overnight Wed in catchments listed. See https://t.co/zQk6fgvnx0 for details and updates; follow advice from @vicemergency#[e-mail]/r7OmZ4bztZ

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) June 6, 2023

The rainfall may lead to flash flooding in those areas before it eases later in the morning, the BOM has warned.

Emergency services have issued five watch and act flood alerts.

The include the Archeron River at Taggerty, the King River near Whitfield, Fifteen Mile Creek near Wangaratta and the Sevens Creek to Euroa.

Residents have been reminded never to enter floodwater, while farmers are urged to move livestock and machinery to higher ground.

The BOM has warned rainfalls of 30-50mm are likely over a six-hour period on Thursday morning, with 60-80mm possible in isolated falls on higher terrain.

Victoria’s high country has also been hit with 90-100km/h gusts, with Mt Hotham recording 107km/h just after 7.30am.

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have lashed the state. Picture: David Crosling

While Melbourne was only expected to see 30mm of rain over Wednesday night into Thursday morning, the BOM predicted other parts of Victoria could see isolated downpours of more than 100mm over the same time period.

Heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding in Mallee, Wimmera and South West districts.

The heaviest falls are likely to be linked with thunderstorm activity and on higher terrain around the Grampians.

The wild weather is expected to ease on Friday.

The alerts come a day after the Herald Sun revealed that the Bureau of Meteorology will now be issuing flood warnings as part of an overhaul to Melbourne’s flood response system.

The plan to take the responsibility away from Melbourne Water is an effort to avoid delays such as those that contributed to last year’s Maribyrnong River Flood disaster.