Victorians warned to prepare for floods

There are warnings of significant flash flooding for Melbourne, and potential major floods across the state.

BOM Senior Meteorologist Kevin Parkyn. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Authorities are warning Victorians to prepare for significant flash flooding across large parts of the state including Melbourne on Thursday, and widespread major riverine flooding later this week and into the weekend.

Weather bureau forecaster Kevin Parkyn said showers and storms were likely to build over the course of Wednesday, with localised bursts of 20mm-30mm possible in Victoria’s west.

“The real concern though is from the very early hours of Thursday morning, right through to Friday morning, where we’re expecting widespread falls of 20mm-50mm across much of Victoria, except perhaps the far southwest, East Gippsland and the northeast,” Mr Parkyn said.

The senior meteorologist said higher falls of 60mm-100mm were also likely about the Dividing Range in Victoria’s northern catchments.

“Melbourne’s at risk as well, not only of flash flooding on the Thursday, but also seeing river rises through Melbourne’s catchments,” he said.

Mr Parkyn said areas of greatest concern for major flooding were in Victoria’s north, from the Wimmera river in the northwest, across to the Avoca, Loddon, Campaspe and Goulburn in ­central Victoria, and the Broken, King and Ovens rivers in the northeast.

“And that’ll be a longer-term risk beyond Thursday, as those waters find their way down those river systems into the weekend and next week,” he said.

“I can’t stress the importance that Thursday is very much a flash flood, heavy rain day. Be prepared. And then we’ll be dealing with a riverine flood risk as the next several days unfold.”

Mr Parkyn also warned of the potential for damaging wind gusts of 90-100km/h on Thursday across elevated areas from the Grampians to the Alpine peaks in what was likely to be Victoria’s most significant rain event so far this year.

“And it’s not over yet. We are likely to have further incursions and tropical moisture leading to heavy rain across the state as spring unfolds, and even into early summer,” he said.

Victorian State Emergency Service chief Tim Wiebusch urged people to clean their gutters and remove debris, which could pose a danger in strong winds.

“We also need you to understand your local risk,” Mr Wie­busch said. “You can go to the SES website at ses.vic.gov.au and ­access one of the 140 local flood guides. “If you do need to travel, plan your trip to make sure you’ve got an alternate route planned so you can go the other way.

“But whatever you do, don’t drive into flash flood waters, because it could be the last decision you actually make.”