Victoria floods: Farmers in state’s southwest on high alert

FARMERS in flooded south west Victoria are nervously watching the skies with the coming few days likely to determine whether they suffer massive financial losses.

• Victoria flood watch: Towns in state’s west on high alert
• Dogs rescued from the roof of a car submerged in flood waters

FARMERS in flooded south west Victoria are nervously watching the skies with the coming few days likely to determine whether they suffer massive financial losses.

About half of a 200ha Canola at Sanford near Casterton is under water, putting about $100,000 worth of the oil-producing crop at risk.

Other farmers’ pastures have been damaged by flood waters, homes and businesses flooded, roads washed out and soil washed away. And more rain is expected.

Sheep farmer Wal Dyer said the Canola crop in jeopardy belonged to a friend on holiday in Queensland.

“It’ll all depend on if we get more rainfall in the next few days. More rain might really ruin them,” he said. But very warm weather could also cause problems from fungus.

Wal Dyer checks out the flood damage to a friends Canola crop in Sandford. Picture: Karla Northcott

Mr Dyer drove around the area on Monday and said the damage was “terrible” with roads washed out and land eroded.

Freelance photographer Karla Northcott had also travelled about flood-affected areas and seen the community pulling together.

“In Coleraine it was amazing to see. Everybody got out and was helping everybody. A lot of people have never seen anything like this before,” she said.

Wal Dyer checks out the flood damage to a friends Canola crop in Sandford. Picture: Karla Northcott

Wal Dyer checks out the flood damage to a friends Canola crop in Sandford. Picture: Karla Northcott

A section of Ridge Rd, Henty that has been washed away in the floods. Picture: Karla Northcott

VICSES Chief Officer Trevor White visited Coleraine and Casterton yesterday[Mon] with Emergency Services Minister James Merlino.

Mr White urged residents to avoid driving or walking through flood waters and to keep up to date on weather and flood warnings, with more rain forecast in the coming days.

He and Mr Merlino thanked emergency service workers for their efforts to keep the community safe, and offered support to residents.

Mr Merlino said Emergency Relief Assistance was available for immediate short-term financial assistance for emergency food, shelter and clothing.

“I urge those in need to take advantage of this support.”

According to the SES, six homes in Coleraine remained uninhabitable after eight homes and six businesses were flooded when the Bryan Creek burst its banks on Friday morning.

Flood water had also swept into homes in Casterton after the Glenelg River peaked at more than six metres on Sunday morning.

VICTORIA FLOOD WATCH: TOWNS IN STATE’S WEST ON HIGH ALERT

DOGS RESCUED FROM THE ROOF OF A CAR SUBMERGED IN FLOOD WATERS