Damage assessment underway after Victoria’s disaster week of bushfires and floods
As flood waters begin to ease in Eastern Victoria, emergency services will begin their work to assess the damage of the floods that replaced uncontrollable bushfires.
Emergency authorities will begin their work to assess the damage of floods that replaced uncontrollable bushfires in Eastern Victoria on Friday.
Residents living the Port of Sale, which has a population of about 14,000 people, evacuated and were advised on Friday morning it was unsafe for them to return to their homes.
The Thomson River, near Sale, peaked at a moderate level of 3.7 metres, lower than the expected major flood level of 4m, in a sign that the challenges for the SES will ease.
The emergency warning issued for Sale and Tinamba, Tinamba West and Newry both decreased to either a watch and act or advice message.
Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said SES doorknocked 120 properties south of the Port of Sale to warn of flooding impacts.
The SES received over 100 calls for assistance overnight, including one water rescue in Bairnsdale involving two people trapped on the roof of their car.
“This is another timely reminder and I’m sure that the commissioner will repeat this, but please do not drive through flood waters. We see time and time again, in basically every flood since I’ve been Emergency Services Minister, of people taking that risk,” Ms Symes said. “It is very dangerous for yourself. It also puts at risk the lives of those who are called to rescue you so please avoid that.
“As floodwaters recede in Newry and Tinamba, crews will be on the ground doing impact assessments.”
Ms Symes also urged Victorians to follow the advice of emergency services as bushfire season approaches.
Victorian emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent described the week for SES battling fires and floods as “dynamic”.
“The total rainfall for the floods is between 200-250 mm of rain in parts across the state. So it has been actually quite significant,” Mr Nugent said.
“The agencies do continue to work tirelessly to keep the community side they’re preparing for the floods. They’re still ongoing risks in a number of areas so they’ll continue to work hard and to ensure that the community is kept safe.”
Three homes were inundated in the Newry and Tinamba area with more flood impact assessments to be done once more water recedes.
SES Victoria acting Chief Officer David Baker estimated about 60 homes in Sale could be isolated.
“The floodwaters [in Newry and Tinamba] are receding. And we have crews on scene they’re undertaking initial assessment, but in order for them to undertake a more comprehensive assessment, they need those floodwaters to recede,” Mr Baker said.
“The flood emergency still remains insofar as while the waters are peaking, and they will discharge and recede over time. Floodwaters are still there. So we say to people don’t become complacent.”
Premier Jacinta Allan earlier this morning said more homes are expected to be inundated.
“Just a couple of days ago on the Tuesday I was being briefing by our Emergency Management Commissioner on the fire situation that was moving through the state, particularly in Gippsland,” the Premier told ABC RN.
“And now in the past two days it has been the focus on the flood effort in those same communities, so it has been a challenging time.
“In terms of the actual number of properties inundated, that is yet to be fully assessed given the flood waters are still rising.”
Ms Allan, who is the member for Bendigo East, spoke of the threat to regional communities like her own as bushfire season nears.
“I do live in regional Victoria, I do live in a bushfire-prone part of regional Victoria and people who live in these communities, we are always making sure that we get prepared for the coming summer,” she said.
“That’s just part of the life you lead in regional Victoria. We are very well supported by a network of emergency services, workers and volunteers.”
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