Woman found dead in floodwaters off Maddens Bridge Road in Glenfyne

A second person has died in treacherous floodwaters in Victoria as the state prepares for another wave of heavy downpours.

A second person has died in treacherous floodwaters in southeastern Victoria after police found a woman’s body in Glenfyne on Friday morning.

Search and rescue officers discovered the body of the 20-year-old inside a vehicle in floodwaters off Maddens Bridge Rd about 10.40am.

Victoria Police issued a public alert for anyone who had seen Nina Barake after she went missing from the Simpson area on Wednesday.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the woman’s death are yet to be determined but police are not treating it as suspicious,” a police statement said.

Nina Barake was found dead in floodwaters in Glenfyne.

Devastated friends and family of the victim have posted tributes online, remembering Ms Barake as a “gorgeous girl”.

“I’m absolutely devastated … she meant the world to me, she was just so incredible,” Joanne Lowerson wrote.

Stephanie Gregory posted: “I am so gutted for the family. I have so many fond memories of Nina and her quirky ways.”

Ms Barake left her home in Simpson at 8.20am on Wednesday and was headed to work, a 30-minute drive – but she never showed up, sparking the police investigation.

Traralgon has been overcome with floodwaters. Picture: David Caird

It comes after a man in his 60s was found dead in floodwaters in Gippsland on Thursday.

Evacuation order issued for Traralgon

An evacuation order has been issued for residents of the Gippsland town of Traralgon, 160km ESE of Melbourne, amid rising floodwaters.

Victoria’s State Emergency Service is warning major flooding is possible in the town overnight and into Saturday morning.

“The Traralgon Creek at Traralgon is currently below the minor flood level. Renewed rapid river level rises are expected from overnight Friday with minor to moderate flooding expected to develop early hours of Saturday,” the SES said.

“Major flooding is possible from early Saturday morning. Around 30-50 mm of rainfall is expected from late Friday and across most of Saturday, with isolated higher totals possible.

“Some uncertainty exists in the Bureau of Meteorology models. However, as the risk is high it is recommended that you leave the area before nightfall.”

As of 2:40pm on Friday, the Traralgon Creek at Traralgon was at 3.17 metres and falling, but it was expected to rise again to exceed the minor flood level of 3.50m overnight on Friday into Saturday, rising above the moderate flood level of 4.0m early on Saturday and possibly reaching the major flood level of 4.8m on Saturday morning.

Flooding is expected to impact Milton Crt, Tennyson St, Moonabeal Crt, Booth Crt, Whittakers Rd between Shakespeare St and Princes St, Davidson St from the Traralgon Creek to Peterkin St, Willow Crt, George St, Berry St, Peterkin St, Munro St between George St and Peterkin St, Couchs Lane late Friday afternoon, early Saturday morning.

It is strongly recommended people in the listed areas evacuate before nightfall.

A relief centre has been open since Thursday at the Traralgon Basketball Stadium, Garibaldi St, Traralgon.

The evacuation order comes after a man in his 60s died in floodwaters at Woodside, 70km southeast of Traralgon, on Thursday.

The body of a woman was also found in floodwaters at Glenfyne, 45km east of Warrnambool, in Victoria’s southwest, on Friday morning.