Flood-hit Victorian town of Kerang facing days of isolation as river peaks

THE levee protecting the northern Victorian town of Kerang is holding back floodwaters after the Loddon River reached its peak.

THE levee protecting the northern Victorian town of Kerang is holding back floodwaters after the Loddon River reached its peak.

However, the flood peak reached this morning is expected to remain for three days, the State Emergency Service says.

The record flood is putting unprecedented pressure on the levee due to the “sheer volume of water and pressure” that is being placed on it, SES spokesman Lachlan Quick said.

About 1500 properties are at risk of flooding, while the town has been completely isolated.

An SES spokeswoman said the last road open in and out of the town, the Western Highway at Lochiel, was closed last night.

She said weaknesses in the levee at the electric power station in Kerang had been identified and were being monitored.

At Dimboola further west, 24 properties remain at risk, many of which have been evacuated because of flooding in the Wimmera River.

A levee is also holding off flood waters there, as the waters flow downstream to Jeparit and then Swan Hill, where community meetings are being held today.

Mr Quick warned landowners that anyone conducting significant earthmoving to build unauthorised levees could be legally liable if they affect the movement of flood waters downstream and the ability of hydrologists to predict flooding.

There have been reports of this occurring, he said.

An evacuation alert was also issued early today at Kow Swamp, northwest of Echuca.

Meanwhile, water levels have stabilised in Warracknabeal and no houses have been flooded.

“That was a good outcome for that area. Ground control are on-site monitoring the situation there,” the SES spokeswoman said.

Authorities say Victoria's record floods could continue into next week, as more communities in the north and northwest of the state remain on alert for rising waters.

Flooding has now affected 62 towns and more than 4300 people since heavy rain fell over one quarter of the state last week.

Major flood warnings remain for the Wimmera, Avoca and Loddon rivers.

AAP