Victorian towns remain on flood watch after record storms lash state
More Victorian homes remain in the firing line as floodwaters continue to rise after torrential rains.
Victoria
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Towns in Victoria’s north remain on high alert for flooding as swollen rivers reach their peak.
The State Emergency Service has responded to 1750 calls since Sunday, 52 of them for flood rescues.
The flooding disaster, which comes 14 months after the deadly October 2022 floods, will prompt a visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the State Control Centre on Wednesday.
Emergency crews were also called to the Mitchell River in the state’s High Country to search for a possible missing kayaker after a kayak was spotted floating down the river at Dargo.
“It may be that the person has safely exited the river on their own, but we are undertaking a search with emergency services at this time to confirm whether we can find anybody in that location,” SES chief officer Tim Wiebusch said.
Mr Wiebusch said “minor flooding” had occurred on a number of Gippsland river systems, but the Mitchell was not expected to reach that level.
Residents in Rochester on Tuesday were told it was too late to leave and not safe to return home as water inundated the streets again.
Hotel Rochester publican Bruce Fisher, who has so far lost three days of business, said he feared Rochester could become a ghost town if flood alerts continued to scare tourists away.
“You come past this place to get to Echuca, otherwise it would be a ghost town … we have been forgotten,” he said.
“Echuca is more important than us.”
Authorities said about 20 homes and businesses had so far been affected by floodwaters in Seymour, where Premier Jacinta Allan gave an update on Tuesday.
Ms Allan said water was recedeing in the central Victorian township.
But by Tuesday afternoon, further alerts warned locals that water levels were expected to rise again to 6.2m on Tuesday afternoon, with moderate flooding.
The Goulburn River at Seymour peaked at 6.8m on Monday, just below the major flood level of 7m.
Sandbags lined almost every shopfront on Tuesday but most remained closed due to the ongoing threat.
Cafe96 owner Freya Grant, who welcomed customers in Seymour on Tuesday despite the warnings, said locals were still on edge and “frustrated” after the disastrous 2022 floods.
“Every time it rains you’re concerned about people around here,” she said.
“The general consensus when it comes to council is that Seymour is the end of the line.”
Further north around Shepparton, waters were expected to peak on Wednesday and affect more than 100 properties.
“Around the Kialla to Shepparton area we could see up to 20 properties that may have above-floor flooding as a result of moderate to high flooding on the Goulburn River,” Mr Wiebusch said.
“A further 150 properties could potentially see flooding in their streets and/or on to their properties.
“Now is the time to prepare … make sure you have up to three days’ supplies so that you can, if you need to, work through that period.”
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said a caravan park in Yea had been flooded, causing significant damage.
Authorities said six residential properties in the area had been inundated.
PM to visit flood-affected areas
The Prime Minister will fly to Melbourne following a trip to Queensland, where he announced a $20m clean-up program to support recovery efforts from the southeast Queensland storms and ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
The Premier on Tuesday morning said Victorians could “absolutely expect that we will push the federal government for a fair share” but had not yet requested assistance.
Mr Albanese said the federal government would “always be ready to support communities, homes and businesses that have been impacted by natural disasters”.
“It’s been a tough time for those communities in northern Victoria, particularly for those who faced such terrible floods in 2022,” he said.
The Prime Minister reflected on a visit to Rochester just 14 months ago with former premier Daniel Andrews.
“We flew over Rochester at that time and it’s terrible to think that a short time later, towns like Rochester and Seymour are very vulnerable there in Victoria,” he said.
Meanwhile Treasurer Jim Chalmers put insurance companies on notice, saying the last thing people needed was companies “stuffing them around”.
“People have been through hell in some of these communities, hosing out homes, throwing away a lifetime of belongings, being in physical danger,” Dr Chalmers said.
“Our message from all three levels of government to the insurers is very clear: Do the right thing by your customers.”
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Michael Efron said the northeast might see a small amount of rain later this week but the rest of the state would remain dry.
“We could see some heavier rainfall (on Friday and into the weekend), but certainly not as much or as extensive as what we have seen over the last few days,” he said.
Ms Allan on Tuesday said 10 to 12 homes in Seymour had likely been inundated but noted the full extent of the damage was yet to be assessed.
“What we are seeing here in Seymour is the floodwaters peaked last night here in Seymour at 6.8m, and as a consequence of that sharp peak levels it’s anticipated that somewhere between 10 to 12 properties have been inundated,” she said.
“That number will, of course, be confirmed as the water levels start to recede and it’s safe for the crews to go in and do the impact assessment on properties or businesses on community assets and on the road network.”
Ms Allan said the flood levels in Seymour were sitting at 5.8m, meaning it was not yet safe for people to return to their homes.
By early Tuesday, floodwaters had receded back into the Goulburn River after swamping roads, footy fields and parks.
“It’s still not safe to return. That safe to return message will be issued when it hits 5m,” she said.
In Seymour town centre, sandbags lined almost every shopfront on Tuesday but most shops remained closed due to continuing alerts.
Owner of Cafe96, Freya Grant, who welcomed customers on Tuesday despite the ongoing warnings, said locals were on edge, fearing the worst every time heavy rain drenched the area.
She said the sheer task of the disastrous October 2022 clean up was still “very fresh”.
“The first time I didn’t believe it would happen but it did. Every time it rains you’re concerned about people around here,” she said.
Ms Grant said Seymour locals felt neglected by authorities, noting there was rarely enough funding for the area and the waterways were not managed properly.
“The general consensus when it comes to council is that Seymour is the end of the line,” she said.
“People just get frustrated.”
She said she feared the persistent evacuation warnings may lead to a “boy who cried wolf” situation, where people become complacent.
“I think one of my fears for the future is that, for example, yesterday they’re saying evacuate, evacuate, how many times are you going to say that?” she said.
“And then people just don’t pay attention anymore.”
Further north in Shepparton, waters were expected to peak on Wednesday, the Premier said.
In Bendigo, Ms Allan said floodwaters had “largely receded” and locals were assessing the damage to homes and businesses.
“They are very much into moving into that recovery mode, and it’s a tough recovery,” she said.
“There are people who have lost their homes.”
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said a caravan park in nearby Yea had also been flooded, causing “significant damage”.
“Yea suffered a small patch of significant damage today and that particularly impacted the caravan park and some low lying houses,” she said.
A safe to return notice has now been issued for Yea.
The Goulburn River in Murchison was just under 9.6m at 5pm and rising. The moderate flood level is 10.2m, and the major flood level is 10.7m.
The situation in Murchison was set to peak in the early hours of Wednesday morning as the Goulburn River levels continue to rise.
Local man Kai, who lives along the river, believes the water was rising at a faster rate than the October 2022 floods.
“All this was paddock this morning … Would have been an easy 2-3 metres down this morning”, he said.
“Neighbours were saying that while it is not as high as last time (October 2022 floods), it is coming up quicker.”
The moderate flood level in Murchison is 10.2m and the major flood level is 10.7m
Kai says in the October 2022 floods the water reached roughly 12m.
WATCH & ACT - RIVERINE FLOOD - Move to Higher Ground - Loddon River - Bendigo and Bullock Creeks
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) January 9, 2024
Act now - take actions immediately to protect your life and property, and move to higher ground.
More details at https://t.co/MSnOSzGSUKpic.twitter.com/mNJSA0egLp
WATCH & ACT - RIVERINE FLOOD - Move to Higher Ground - Campaspe River - Downstream of Rochester
— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) January 9, 2024
Act now - take actions immediately to protect your life and property, and move to higher ground.
More details at https://t.co/AK0gluy8Pipic.twitter.com/2E71nkQIbY
Meanwhile, Rochester residents were warned it was too late to leave on Tuesday morning.
However, Ms Allan said “thankfully” the event was not as severe as the October 2022 floods.
The government was to hold an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday night to discuss support for flooded communities after more than 1547 Victorians called the SES for help.
Ms Allan said it was unclear how many households had been affected by flooding, but there was no doubt it had affected several communities and roads.
“That picture will emerge … over the next 24 hours and will very much guide the next phase of the operational response,” she said.
Hotel Rochester publican Bruce Fisher hopes the Prime Minister and his Labor government will bring in relief for businesses during his visit.
He said Rochester businesses received $50,000 after the October 2022 floods, but had to spend it first before being reimbursed.
Mr Fisher said the media coverage has overstated the flood severity.
“The floods are not as bad as 2022, but the media coverage makes it seem like we are underwater”, he said.
Mr Fisher opened his beloved pub, though most businesses remain closed today.
“We are open today when we should not be”.
“We’ve lost three days business … What’s the point in opening?” he said.
Meanwhile Treasurer Jim Chalmers put insurance companies on notice, saying the last thing people need is companies “stuffing them around”.
“People have been through hell in some of these communities, hosing out homes, throwing away a lifetime of belongings, being in physical danger,” Mr Chalmers said.
“Our message from all three levels of government to the insurers is very clear — do the right thing by your customers.”
Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt acknowledged that insurers had improved their performance and responsiveness to consumers in recent years.
But Senator Watt said people shouldn’t be “dudded by an insurance company finding some kind of loophole”.
“We need the corporate sector to stand with Australians in their hour of need, as well,” he said.
‘She isn’t going to hang on much longer’
Local hero Mitchell Smith has described the moment he saved the life of a 74-year-old Eaglehawk woman after her car was swept off the Elmore-Raywood Road into Bendigo Creek and travelled 100m downstream.
The woman was driving in convoy with a friend along the Elmore road when their vehicles were impacted by flood water.
Mitch told 3AW he went to get his phone to take a photograph of the rising floodwaters in the creek, which he said had water levels higher than he had ever seen, when he noticed a car on the nearby road and saw a man with his hands over his head pointing.
He said the man was saying “my mum, my mum.”
Mitch said he looked over and saw another car floating downstream, “nose down, sinking pretty rapidly.”
Thinking “there’s not much time to do something,” he quickly called a neighbour for help before bravely jumping into the treacherous waters.
“If I called triple 0 too quick I would have been on the phone for too long,” he said.
“I just took off my boots and jumped in.”
Mitch said when he got to the woman, she had climbed out of her car window and was holding onto a tree.
He said by that stage, her car had disappeared nose down, with only its back windshield visible.
But Mitch said it was clear the woman was losing strength rapidly.
“She was yelling that she wasn’t going to be able to hang on for much longer,” he said.
“I obviously knew that … she was an old lady and she was going to be losing strength rapidly.”
He said he got around her, trying to boost her up into the fork in the tree.
“Once I got her on the tree, she said she wouldn’t be able to hang on for much longer,” he said.
“I jumped back in and got swept downstream another 300 metres”
Mitch said he then ran to his ute, grabbed some straps, jumped back in the water, put a strap around the woman’s arms and hoisted her up to the tree, where they waited for help.
“We waited there until a police boat arrived,” he said.
Mitch said although he was a strong swimmer, he didn’t know what conditions in the rapidly flowing waters would be like.
“I was comfortable enough with my swimming to an extent but I didn’t know what it would be like until I got in the water,” said the good Samaritan.
“It was just sort of, give it a go and see what happens.”
When asked if he was scared to jump in the floodwaters, Mitch said “I probably was a little bit,”
“But I thought if it was my grandma I hoped someone would do the same thing.”
Mitch said the woman was pretty worried as they waited for help to arrive.
“She was a bit distressed but also … sorry for her actions,”
“I sort of made sure she was OK … we talked a bit, talked about other things other than what was happening at the time.”
When asked what he had to say about people calling him a hero, Mitch said he was just an ordinary person.
“I’m just an ordinary person, just in a situation where you have to do something about it,” he said.
“There’s been plenty of these situations in the last little while in Queensland and down around here
“I’m sure there’s a lot of other people who have stories.”
Mitch said he was a bit sore after the rescue, but was OK.
“I’m a little bit sore this morning, a bit battered and bruised from getting swept through the floodwaters into logs and around trees … but I’m OK,” he said.
SES and members from the Water Police and Search and Rescue Squad arrived and sent a vessel to rescue the pair, who were fortunately not injured.
The friend in the other vehicle, was not swept away although the car became surrounded by floodwater.
Water Police Acting Sergeant Kristina Clappison said she believed Mitch’s actions saved the woman’s life.
“She would not be alive without Mitch today, he is an absolute lifesaver”, Ms Clappison said.
Sergeant Clappison however urged those to take caution before attempting to be a hero.
“Safety first, think about your safety”, she said.
The lady’s vehicle remains in the water at Naughtons Bridge in Elmore.
Sergeant Clappison advised Rochester residents to “take action when needed” and keep up to date with the latest news.
She also urged those to not drive through road closed signs, “otherwise you will get swept away”.
Sergeant Clappison spoke of the strength and kindness of the Rochester community through all the recent adversity, saying locals offered police coffee yesterday morning.
The water police will remain in the Rochester area while they are needed, with flood levels expected to recede in the coming days.
MONDAY COVERAGE
Under-threat towns prepare for worst
On Monday, residents in towns under threat were sandbagging homes and businesses as roads began to resemble rivers.
A 70m-long landslide buried part of Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd in Ferny Creek.
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said record rainfall had fallen in Victoria with Heathcote recording three months worth of rain and Bendigo breaking a 90-year record when 92mm of rain fell.
Rochester recorded its highest rainfall in 120 years after 125mm of rain fell in 24 hours.
Chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said the SES had received 38 calls for dangerous flood rescues and lashed commuters who had chosen to drive through dangerous flood waters.
“It could be the last decision you make,” he said.
Bendigo residents Alain and Jess Gobbo’s home was surrounded by water more than 30cm deep. It has now been flooded three times in 10 years.
Mr Gobbo said the inside of his home was OK at this stage but “there’s always concern”.
“We’re going to wait it out, unfortunately” he said.
Ms Gobbo said the nearby creek, the “back creek”, was contributing to the flooding but the Bendigo City Council had done nothing when they raised concerns earlier.
Tradesman Robert Hannah said his property in Goornong, Bendigo, was flooded on Monday night and while his home was OK, his tools had been damaged.
“Everything in the shed, everything laying around, it’s all in about six to eight inches of water,” he said.
“I’m on top of the hill, but when it comes down that heavy, there’s nowhere for the water to go.”
Deputy incident controller Les Vearing said feelings in the community were still raw after the 2022 floods, with many people still living in caravans and temporary accommodation.
Assistance for flood-affected Victorians is expected to be announced later this week once the water has receded and the damage has been assessed.
The federal government on Monday had received no requests for resources from the Victorian government.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Michael Efron said the rain was unlikely to ease until late Monday night, but there would be isolated storms and showers across the state during the rest of the week.
Fears for Rochester
Floodwaters on Monday were moving north in the Campaspe River and Bendigo Creek towards Barnadown and towards Elmore and Rochester.
Small communities in the region were being affected by local creeks that couldn’t cope with the volume of localised rain.
On Monday evening Rochester was expected to hit minor flood levels with major flood levels forecast on Tuesday.
About 30 houses were forecast to be affected by above-floor flooding.
“The community is feeling very raw in Rochester after 2022 floods,” Mr Vearing said
There’s a lot of places in Rochester that still haven’t been rebuilt … people are still living on site in caravans and cheap accommodation. So it’s still very, very raw.”
State Emergency Service chief Tim Wiebusch said Rochester was likely to see levels similar to 2022 when floodwaters devastated the area.
Flood levels were expected to rise to about 114.5m, just one metre below previous floodwaters when water flowed from Campaspe near Lake Eppalock.
He said dozens of homes in that area would be impacted as the heavy rainfall moved further east.
“This will still have a significant impact on that community,” he said.
The Maribyrnong River, Deep Creek and the Yarra River between Yarraglen and Abbotsford are also likely to see minor flooding.
“Please take heed of the warnings, stay away from the bike paths and walking paths over the next couple of days,” Mr Wiebusch said.
Mr Wiebusch also warned campers and holiday-makers to follow advice from emergency services due to the risks of flash flooding and falling trees.
“Now is the time to know your flood risk,” he said.
It comes after camper Greg Jordan died when a tree struck him on the head while he was camping on his friend’s Caringal property over Christmas.
On Monday afternoon, employees were placing sandbags around the Rochester Dental Clinic in preparation for potential flooding in the coming days.
Emily Shaw, a dental assistant, said the clinic and its equipment were damaged in the October 2022 floods.
She described the 2022 floods as “traumatic” and said they also damaged her nearby home.
Ms Shaw said Rochester’s recovery from the 2022 floods was ongoing and that her family had only recently been able to move back into their home.
“We only just got back in a couple of months ago,” she said.
Ms Shaw said she was worried about floods in the coming days but wasn’t planning on placing sandbags around her home, as she didn’t think they would help.
“We’re in a weatherboard house so we can’t really stop it,” she said.
At the Rochester Recreation Reserve, members of the community were banding together to fill sandbags in case of floods.
Sanjay Ranchhod was one new member of the community helping to fill bags with sand.
Mr Ranchhod said he was from Melbourne, but was about to moving to Rochester.
“Many hands make light work,” he said.
“Rochester is a beautiful community, so might as well get in and help.”
He said he would help all afternoon.
“If we have to go through the evening, we can do it,” he said.
Sandbags could also be seen in front of several shops along Gillies St.
Seymour locals urged to evacuate
Those living or working in Seymour, or holidaying at local river caravan parks, were urged to find refuge at the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre on Monday.
The township of Yea, 70km southeast of Seymour, had also been evacuated.
A relief centre has been opened at the Yea Shire Hall for locals living on Whatton Place or Miller, Loan and Court streets.
Seymour’s rising water levels were slightly higher than the flood event of 1993.
Affected streets and roads included Emily St, Tierney St, Lesley St, Tallarook St, Wallis St, High St, Elizabeth St, Butler St, Alexander St, Edward St, Station St, Tristan St, Hanna Street, Jubilee St and Industrial Ct.
Defiant Seymour traders sandbagged their shops in the main street, vowing to stay open until floodwaters arrived.
Toy World owner Darren King said he was preparing for the worst.
“We’ve been here (in ownership) since April,” he said.
“We’re going to sandbag and hope for the best.”
Seymour Hotspot Fish and Chips owner Jack Su was also prepared.
“If I see water, I’ll pack up and go … my car is in a safe spot up the road” he said.
Meanwhile Sharon Jones, who was staying with her son Edward in Seymour, had her holiday cut short by the significant flooding.
“It’s halfway up (the street) now,” she said.
“They are waiting for the river to come up now. The pool will be gone.”
The Jones family was also affected by the 2022 floods, when they lived on the outskirts of Seymour.
“We moved into town and now we have been affected again”.
Ms Jones is also concerned as she needs to take her parents to a medical appointment tomorrow.
“Poor Mum and Dad have got to go to the cancer centre tomorrow. The highway is closed between Seymour and Broadford”, she said.
Warnings for Bendigo
Residents near the Campaspe River between Lake Eppalock and Barnadown — south of Bendigo — were told to move to higher ground on Monday morning after more than 160mm fell in the river catchment since 9am Sunday.
The Campaspe River hit 6.31m midmorning on Monday, soaring above 2010 record flood levels. There are fears the river will reach 6.5m by late morning.
Meanwhile, Lake Eppalock has overflowed, causing water levels downstream to rise.
Heathcote has been the hardest hit, after 165mm of rain fell in the past 24 hours.
Redesdale, east of Bendigo, recorded 133mm — with 55mm of rain in two hours.
Severe thunderstorms continue to sweep the state’s north, with Swan Hill in the firing line.
Bendigo has been hit with rainfall of up to 145mm and Heathcote 136mm.
Roads and properties in Huntly, near Bendigo, have been flooded.
The home of local residents Alain and Jess Gobbo was surrounded by water more than a foot deep.
The couple, who live there with their three children, said their property had been flooded three times in the 10 years they have lived there.
Mr Gobbo said the inside of his home was OK so far but he said “there’s always concern”.
“We’re going to wait it out, unfortunately” he said.
“I went shopping yesterday and got some supplies — bottled water and milk for the kids.”
Ms Gobbo said a creek called the “back creek”, close to her home was contributing to the flooding.
Ms Gobbo said she and other Huntly residents had raised their concerns over the creek with Bendigo City Council but nothing had been done.
Next door, farming equipment business Midstate Machinery was also flooded.
Employee Peter Rae said he wouldn’t know the extent of damage until the water receded.
He said he had lived in Huntly since 1985 and that “back creek” was full of funghi and needed drenching.
“The drainage around here and Bendigo is shocking,” he said.
Robert Hannah said his property in Goornong, north of Bendigo, flooded on Monday night.
Mr Hannah said his home was OK so far but his tools had been damaged.
“Everything in the shed, everything laying around, it’s all in about six to eight inches of water,” he said.
Mr Hannah was concerned about further rain.
“I’m on top of the hill, but when it comes down that heavy, there’s nowhere for the water to go.”
— With additional reporting by Sarah Perillo and Lauren Hutchinson
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