LIVE BLOG MONDAY: Heavy rain expected in Victoria as Echuca urged to leave | Bendigo Advertiser

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued updated flood warnings for river systems in central and northern Victoria.

Flood waters at Echuca are expected to peak just below 95 meters of Australian benchmark sea level on Tuesday.

Currently, the Murray River at Echuca is at 94.91 meters AHD and near its peak with flood levels above 1975 and 1993 levels.

Major flooding in Echuca and Moama was caused by flood waters from the Campaspe and Goulburn rivers combined with flows from the Murray River.

The Campaspe River in Rochester measures 110.52 meters AHD and drops with moderate flooding downstream of Rochester.

In Echuca, the level of the Campaspe River is currently at 94.69 meters AHD and stable.

The river is expected to remain above the moderate flood level of 94.40m AHD through Tuesday.

Further rises of the Campaspe are occurring due to floodwaters from the Murray River and are expected to last for several days.

The Avoca River in Charlton also experiencing minor flooding due to further flooding of the river at Yawong Weir.

Charlton saw the Avoca River peak at 4.75m on Sunday with the river level now at 4.32m and stable.

The city is expected to see levels stay above the four-meter minor flood stage on Tuesday with flows upstream to see further rises occur.

Minor flooding continues along the River Loddon from Laanecoorie to Loddon Weir with further increases possible on Tuesday.

The Loddon River downstream of Laanecoorie is currently at 2.42 meters and stable. Levels should remain above the minor flood level of 1.50 m.

At Loddon Weir the level of the River Loddon is 5.79 meters and rising causing minor flooding. A flood of six meters is expected Monday evening.

The Loddon River at Appin South, between Boort and Kerang, fell below major flood level of 3.30 meters on Monday afternoon.

It slowly drops 3.29 meters with moderate flooding and is expected to remain above moderate flood level (3.10m) through Tuesday.

The MV Hwy Bridge at Kerang saw the Loddon River reach 77.86 meters AHD and stable with major flooding. Levels will remain around major flood stage (77.80m) through Tuesday.

Rochester residents are again monitoring river levels, which were at 110.7 AHD as of 9 a.m. this morning.

The owners of the Rochester Riverside Holiday Park were preparing to evacuate again while keeping an eye on the Campaspe River.

SES has listed a watch and action warning for the city that further flooding of the river could be possible.

A community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. today, Monday, October 24, at the Rochester Regional Racing Reserve located on the corner of Northern Highway and Diggora Road.

The SES has issued a minor flood warning for the Avoca River in Charlton.

The Ministry of Transport has confirmed that 397 roads are still closed as wet weather makes travel difficult.

The road network suffered significant damage with large potholes and sections of road destroyed.

Crews from across Victoria have mobilized and assessed more than 1,499 roads and repaired almost 43,000 potholes – but significant damage remains.

Structural engineers have inspected more than 251 bridges and structures on the network, while Department of Transportation officials continue to inspect the network twice a day and carry out emergency repairs where they are needed most.

Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution expecting damage to the road surface.

Leaving extra distance between vehicles will help drivers get a better view of the road ahead.

Drivers are reminded of the dangers of driving through closed roads and in flood waters.

Around 40 people are staying at the emergency relief centre, Bendigo council confirmed.

“We are in the process of resetting the facility and are ready to welcome people from Echuca, if needed,” a spokesperson said.

Those who have been evacuated to the Bendigo exhibition grounds are beginning to look for alternative or transitional accommodation.

Residents of flooded areas are warned to watch out for mosquito bites, as the hot, humid weather acts as a “perfect” breeding ground for insects.

The state emergency service has released information on diseases to be wary of, including Japanese encephalitis, Ross River virus and Murray Valley encephalitis.

You can find out more about these here.

To protect yourself, the SES advises:

The NSW State Emergency Service has determined the River Murray, downstream from Tocumwal Road Bridge to Barham Bridge, to be an emergency area, VIC SES said.

“Do not enter the emergency zone,” VIC SES said in its warning.

This applies to commercial and recreational users.

Monday promises to be a particularly wet day, with between 20 and 30 mm forecast for Bendigo and Shepparton, between 25 and 35 mm forecast for Echuca and between 20 and 25 mm at Kerang.

Major flooding greater than that of 1993 is occurring in Echuca and Moama, with VicEmergency saying a major flood peak of around 95 meters is possible from Sunday evening.

An evacuation warning is still in place for Echuca Township as officials predict the Murray River will peak on Wednesday.

The Campaspe Shire Council has advised that the River Murray at Echuca Wharf is now expected to peak at 95.3m, slightly lower than the original forecast of 95.9m.

Immediate emergency evacuation: Echuca and the village of Echuca

Emergency, not sure to return: Bunbartha, Kerang

Emergency, too late to leave: Barmah and Lower Moira

Emergency, move to higher ground: Loddon River Loddon Weir at Kerang, Campaspe River downstream of Rochester, Wharparilla, Gunbower, Leitchville, Patho, Torrumbarry

Observe and act, move to higher ground: River Murray downstream from Tocumwal to Barham, Seymour, along the river in the Emily Street area

Observe and act, avoid the flooded area: Seven Creeks below Euroa, Walshs Bridge Road and Walshs Bridge Road south area, south/east of Nathalia, Goulburn River below Shepparton, Goulburn River Lake Eildon to Seymour

Watch and act, prepare now: Nathalia-Picola-Barmah and surroundings

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