Isolated homes in NW Victoria could be cut off for weeks

Major flooding is expected at Swan Hill this week

Victoria's flood crisis has taken its toll on more rural communities, with homes in the northwest of the state inundated yesterday while others faced the prospect of being isolated by surging waters for weeks.

Authorities fear as many as 250 homes will be affected over the next few days as the "inland sea" moves up the Loddon River from Kerang to the regional city of Swan Hill.

The State Emergency Service issued two evacuation warnings for people living west of Mystic Park and Murrabit West as floodwaters broke the levees. Up to eight properties near these areas were flooded yesterday.

The Swan Hill community is confident the town's levees will hold, but people have been outraged over the theft of sandbags at key locations. "Without pointing fingers directly at people in the community, I want to shame them," Mayor Greg Cruikshank said, after sandbags at a levee at Tyntynder, southwest of Swan Hill, were stolen at the weekend. "The act that they've done has been despicable."

The latest developments in the Victorian flood disaster come as the food industry warns there could be a shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables for up to six months. The head of the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Kate Carnell, said tomatoes and vegetables were severely affected in Victoria while tropical fruits were damaged in Queensland.

SES deputy director of operations Tim Wiebusch said floodwaters were moving north up the Loddon River.

"Over the course of the next week up to 250 properties are at risk of being flooded," he said. "We are expecting major flooding at Swan Hill later this week, with the Murray River expected to peak early next week."

Other communities expected to be affected this week include Pental Island, Benjaroop, Winlaton, Fish Point, Lake Boga and Lake Charm. If residents are cut off by the floods in these tiny communities, some consisting of just a few properties, they could face up to three weeks of isolation.

Premier Ted Baillieu told ABC's 7.30 Report last night there was a lot of confusion around definitions in insurance, and he knew some flood victims who thought they were covered but were denied claims.

"At a national level, we need to have that debate," he said. "I would anticipate that it would come up at COAG in the next few weeks so we can get some clarity for policy-holders."

Mr Baillieu would not be drawn into the debate about the flood levy, again saying it was an issue for the federal government.