As many people go to sleep tonight, updated emergency warnings to evacuate immediately have been issued for the northern part of Seymour and for properties along the Goulburn River from Seymour to Lake Eildon.
Emergency services are forecasting the Goulburn River will peak at about 8.2 metres at Seymour, sometime in the early hours of the morning, which is likely to exceed 1974 flood levels.
A separate emergency warning for flooding of the Goulburn River, from Lake Eildon to Seymour, has also been issued.
Rapid and significant river level rises are occurring along the Goulburn River and its tributaries in response to widespread heavy rainfall during the past two days.
Major flooding is occurring at Seymour, with river levels still rising and currently around the record flood level of 7.64m, which occurred in May, 1974.
Major flooding is occurring along the Yea River, Hughes Creek and Sunday Creek, with river levels still rising. Further rises are likely with forecast rainfall tonight and tomorrow.
The State Emergency Service advises that impacts in the area will include flooding above floor level of a single-story home in many locations.
The flood is expected to have levels similar to the May 1974 flood, which reached a height of 7.64m.
At this height, 187 homes and businesses were affected with flooding above the height of floor level. There were 279 homes and businesses that become isolated by flooding due to roads and property flooding.
At the major flood level, 7.0m, Kings Park flooded and the Goulburn Valley Highway closed between Seymour Toyota and Redbank Road.
Widespread disruption to traffic is likely to occur.
In 1993, when the river reached a height of 6.65m, at least five houses in Butler and Emily Streets were flooded above the height of floor level. Properties in Edward, Emily, Hanna, Tierney, Alexander, High, Tallarook and Wallace streets also become isolated and surrounding areas were flooded.
Earlier today, SES personnel said they expected 187 properties in Seymour to flood and another 200 to be impacted.
At 11.09pm yesterday, incident controller Jeff Roe issued an emergency warning to evacuate immediately from the north-western part of Seymour.
“This Emergency Warning is being issued for Seymour. If you live, work or are holidaying in this area, you should evacuate immediately.
Floodwaters are rapidly rising. Flood levels are above major and rising.
If you are located in the area bounded by the Goulburn River to Redbank Rd; along the Goulburn Valley Hwy to Whiteheads Creek up to the railway line and along the bridge crossing the river to the south, it is recommended you evacuate immediately.
If you are located in low-lying areas around the Goulburn Valley Hwy/Redbank Rd area, it is recommended you Evacuate Immediately.
What you should do:
Travel to a safe location. Options include:
The relief centre that has been opened at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre, Chittick Park.
Family or friends’ homes located in a safe location, away from flooding.
The safest evacuation route is by Anzac Ave, Seymour.
When you leave, remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.
Floodwater is dangerous – never enter floodwater.
If you are travelling by car:
Do not drive through floodwater.
Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded.
Be aware of driving hazards, such as mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low lying areas and floodwater.
If you stay:
If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you.
Stay inside and be aware of changing conditions.
If floodwater comes inside, move to a higher point such as a kitchen bench or second story.
Follow your emergency plan, if you have one.
Contact family members and neighbours to ensure they are aware of the situation, if safe to do so.
You should stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings. Call Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency.
For emergency assistance from the SES, call 132 500.
Impacts in your area:
Flooding above floor level of a single-story home is likely to occur.
This message was issued by State Emergency Service.
The next update is expected by 1.10am on Friday or as the situation changes.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
VicEmergency Hotline – freecall 1800 226 226
VicEmergency app
Facebook or Twitter (#vicfloods)
Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
To access this information in other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.
More details at http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/#!/warning/22875/moreinfo
Incident controller Rob Van Dorsser issued an evacuation message earlier in the night at 7.18pm.
Heavy rain and destructive winds
Heavy rainfall is impacting large parts of Victoria with damaging to destructive winds gusts over elevated terrain.
A deep low-pressure system south of the Great Australian Bight extends a strong cold front over central Victoria. The cold front has moved through Melbourne and continues to shift slowly eastward.
This system is combing with a deep tropical airmass to cause widespread areas of heavy rainfall across central and north-eastern parts of the state, as well as damaging to destructive wind gusts over elevated terrain.
Heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, is forecast to continue.
Rainfall rates are expected to ease from the west tonight, clearing during Friday morning.
Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 to 50 mm are likely, with isolated heavier falls up to 65 mm.
24-hour rainfall totals are expected to reach 50 to 80 mm, with isolated totals up to 120mm over higher terrain.
Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
Winds are expected to ease from the west later this evening, then clearing during Friday morning.
Flood Warnings and a Flood Watch are current for catchments across Victoria.
Locations that may be affected include Seymour, Swan Hill, Echuca, Shepparton, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
Seymour has already had 118mm of rain since 9am today – one of the highest totals in the state.
Victoria State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware – heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it’s windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines – always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11pm Thursday.
Mitchell Shire Council
Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre has been set up as an Emergency Relief Centre.
Toilets, showers, emergency accommodation and basic food is available for those who require it and there is also have power to charge devices and access free wifi.
Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre is at Chittick Park, Pollard Street, Seymour.
The council’s customer service and library centres in Seymour and Kilmore will be closed tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday. The Broadford and Wallan sites will be open as per normal hours.
Council roads closed
Broadford:
Burges Lane
Dry Creek Road
High Street (service lane near Broadford Island)
Jeffreys Lane
Clonbinane and Waterford Park:
Broadford-Wandong Road
Ryans Road Ford
Glenaroua:
Chapmans Road
Camerons Creek Road
Kilmore:
Kilmore East Road
Mikada Boulevard
Mill Road
Moranding:
Kilmore-Glenaroua Road (near Three Chain Road)
Nulla Vale:
Malones Road
Smiths Lane
Pyalong:
Sandy Creek Road
Puckapunyal:
Popples Lane East
Seymour:
Delatite Road
Kobyboyn Road
Telegraph Road
Wallis Street (at junction of roundabout on High Street)
Wimble Street
Sugarloaf Creek:
Ashes Bridge Road
Sugarloaf Creek Road (Bidstrup Bridge, north of Dockerys Road)
Sunday Creek:
Sunday Creek Road
Tallarook:
Dockerys Road ford
Henley Street
Schoolhouse Lane
Tallarook-Pyalong Road
Tooborac:
Middle Springs Road
Trawool:
Greenslopes Road
Wallan:
Windham Street
Willowmavin
Allens Road/McNabs Road
