East Gippsland: Flooding forces Highway shut and power cut

Farmers have been forced to move stock from low lying areas and crops may need replanting as East Gippsland is hit by more heavy rain.

The Princes Highway between Orbost and Genoa had to be shut once again after East Gippsland was pounded with heavy rain in recent days.

Power was also cut to hundreds of home at Marlo on Sunday evening after the region was battered by strong winds and is not expected to be restored until late Tuesday.

The Bureau Of Meteorology issued a moderate flood warning for the Snowy River at Orbost and the Mitchell River at Bairnsdale on Monday afternoon and minor flood warnings were out for the Tambo, Nicholson and Avon Rivers.

Minor flooding is also occurring in the Buchan River at Buchan.

Heavy to intense rainfall across much of #Gippsland on the weekend has resulted in significant areas of #flooding. 🌧️
Much less rainfall expected today, but catchments & rivers may continue to respond as water moves downstream. #VicWeather
Latest warnings: https://t.co/CnezjlS6Mnpic.twitter.com/sBmRiurCH0

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) April 3, 2022

The Princes Highway was reopened mid-afternoon Monday, but more than 20 roads were still closed in the area

More than 200mm of rainfall has been recorded in the Cann River and Club Terrace areas in the 48hrs to 9am this morning.

Dairy farmer Dennis Reynolds has two farms near Orbost and expected recently planted crops may be affected.

“Everyone has moved their cattle and equipment off low lying areas,” he said.

“We’re basically waiting for the flood waters to subside and then have to start thinking about reseeding if we can and it’s not too late in the season.”

Bete Bolong’s Royston Nettleton said the rain had been very concentrated.

“We’ve been lucky over the last few months that we didn’t get what they predicted,” he said.

“We’ve dodged a bullet, but this one has come all in one day and made life difficult.”

Genoa rain gauge showing more than 150mm of rain. Picture: Supplied

Marlo resident and East Gippsland mayor Mark Reeves has measured more than 192mm since late last week including 65mm on Saturday followed by 75mm on Sunday.

The Marlo-Orbost Road is also closed after being shut on multiple occasions in recent months.

“This one is probably the most concentrated rain we’ve had,” Cr Reeves said.

“The others seem to have been in the catchment and the river came up.

“The big issue is there has been a lot of wind and there are some trees down.”

Power lines are down on the entry into the Marlo and near the Brodribb River bridge.

“If you don’t need to go anywhere don’t,” Cr Reeves said.

“Sit it out and things will be all right.

“If you need emergency services call triple-0 and someone will get there, but don’t make everyone’s job harder by being out on the road and getting in the way.”