Severe weather warning for eastern parts of Victoria

Heavy rain has triggered warnings for eastern parts of Gippsland with residents on alert for what could become a major flooding event.

East Gippsland residents are on high alert for flooding after a deluge of rain. Picture: Ian Currie

Parts of Gippsland have been hit with more than 250 mm of rain since early Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology reveals.

Heavy rain in eastern most parts of Gippsland triggered a major flood warning for the Cann and Genoan rivers as the rain water moved downstream.

“Gippsland has seen above average rain in the last few months and soils in the catchment are very saturated because of that,” said BOM duty forecaster Miriam Bradbury.

“Any amount of rainfall for Gippsland essentially would have a major impact to cause flooding,” Ms Bradbury said.

The Cann River has moderate flooding that peaked at 3.89m at Weeragua on Sunday night, and could turn into a major flooding event on Monday.

Gippsland is safe from the immediate threat of severe weather as the low-pressure system moves offshore east of Bass Strait towards Tasman Sea.

The expected rainfall total on Monday is much less with possibly reaching up to 10 mm in the eastern most of East Gippsland.

Victoria’s State Emergency Service has responded to 15 flood-related calls for help from Eastern Victoria in the past 24 hours.

The SES has urged people to stay away from fallen power lines and floodwater.

The Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain and damaging winds has been cancelled, however numerous flood warnings remain in place for parts of Gippsland. https://t.co/HLs2UYFQyQpic.twitter.com/VwMZV0qwUF

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) April 3, 2022

Residents urged to move to high ground

On Sunday, residents living near and around Bemm, Cann, and Genoa Rivers were urged to move to higher ground due to the potential impacts of the coming floodwater.

“You may become isolated, with no access in or out of your home. Ensure you have prepared for this event or consider leaving now,” the Bureau of Meteorology warned.

“Remember to take your pets, mobile phone, spare clothes and medications if you leave.”

Flooding above floor level of a single-storey home is likely to occur in some locations, while some roads and bridges may be closed due to flooding.

The bureau on Sunday morning issued a warning for intense rainfall and dangerous flash flooding, with damaging winds possible along exposed coastal parts of the region.

The SES urged residents to prepare to take shelter.

The bureau said: “There is a risk of dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding caused by the severe weather”.

“Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.”

Residents were urged to stay inside if conditions appeared dangerous and to contact neighbours to ensure they were aware of the situation, if safe to do so.

Cann River local Jenny Dewacht reported the river “was chockers” on Sunday morning.

“I crossed it to get to work this morning and I’ve never seen it so high,” she said.

“It hasn’t overflowed the banks yet, but it looks like it will later today.

“The lights have also been flickering, so we might lose power at some point. But we have a generator and we’re a bit higher up so we should be right.”

Ms Dewacht has been managing the Cann Valley Motel, which is close to where the Princes Highway crosses the river, since October 2021.

“I’ve not experienced a flood so don’t really know what will happen,” she said.

“We don’t have anyone staying at the moment so I don’t have to worry about guests being stranded.”

As Bemm River residents were told to enact their flood plan, co-owner of the town’s caravan park Jenny Forrester said many guests had cancelled bookings ahead of the weekend because of the forecast.

“Those who did come are packing up and heading home, more because the fishing is not good, than concerns about floodwaters,” Ms Forrester said.

“The winds we’re tipped to get tonight could create a bit of a mess in the park but we should be OK.”