Victorians still on flood alert as homes, businesses under threat

As residents in central and northern Victoria being the clean-up after a devastating new round of floods, hundreds remain on high alert as swollen rivers hit their peak.

Hundreds of residents in central and northern Victoria are expected to be on flood watch on Wednesday as swollen rivers threaten more homes and buildings.

While the torturous clean-up began in the state’s north after another round of floods, more homes were forecast to be in the firing line with rivers to peak overnight and into Wednesday.

The Goulburn River at Shepparton is at 7.11m and rising, with authorities saying it is likely to exceed the minor flood level of 9.5m.

Residents are being urged to take action, move to higher ground and evacuate if necessary.

The Goulburn River in Murchison on Wednesday morning. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

River levels in Murchison are forecast to keep rising. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

SES crews load sandbags as floodwaters rise in Seymour.

River levels in Murchison had reached 10.38m on Wednesday morning — in the moderate flood range — according to Murchison CFA.

Water levels remained steady but were set to increase with inflows and water releases from other sources.

The river level will remain relatively high over the next few days, with the CFA urging residents not to attempt to drive on flooded roads.

Residents were being told that sandbags were available at the Murchison Community Centre.

A moderate flood warning has been issued for Latrobe River Yallourn to Traralgon Creek, with Thoms Bridge potentially rising from 4.2m on Tuesday to 5.1m later on Wednesday.

Flood warnings remain in place across Victoria.

Seymour Cafe 96 owner Freya Grant prepares her business for flooding. Picture: David Crosling

Owner of Aspen Lodge Caravan Park in Mooroopna, Yvonne Prince, said she and her husband, Russell, were still hosting people affected by the October 2022 floods but offered cabins to anyone potentially affected over the coming days.

The pair lost 60 of the 69 cabins in the 2022 floods, but they have since “gutted and rebuilt”, with 73 cabins now available.

Ms Prince said she was incredibly grateful for the support she had received from tradesman, workers and the entire Mooroopna community.

“With the help of a lot of people (we have been able to rebuild), some of our tradies have been amazing ... our builder is from Sunbury, he is up here for a month”, she said.

Aspen Lodge Caravan Park sits on the edge of the Goulburn River, and has acted as a refuge for the homeless and vulnerable.

Ms Prince believes the caravan park should be safe from floodwaters this time, but is wary of bursting drains.

“Our biggest worry would be the drains”, she said.

She said she feared for those living right on the river, saying that may become flooded and isolated.

“They could get bogged in”, she said.

WATCH & ACT - RIVERINE FLOOD - Prepare Now - Goulburn River Murchison to Shepparton

Prepare for flooding now.

Take actions to protect your life and property against potential hazards caused by flooding.

More details at https://t.co/ge0uCJFw22pic.twitter.com/wd57a75MJZ

— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) January 10, 2024

Twenty-eight flood warnings remain in place across Victoria on Wednesday.

Flood warnings for Rochester and Seymour were downgraded on Wednesday morning.

An SES representative has said Rochester’s previous warning was “too late to leave” which has been downgraded to “not safe to return”.

“SES are doing safety checks to make sure the area is safe when it is time for people to return.”

The State Emergency Service on Tuesday had 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.