Campaspe River forecasted to peak in Echuca later today, SES chief warns residents they need to prepare to evacuate
The Campaspe River in Echuca is expected to peak later today.
SES chief officer operations Tim Wiebusch said Echuca residents need to prepare for two peaks over the next week.
“The first peak is later today into Sunday for the Campaspe River and then there will be a second peak coming from the Murray River, mid to late next week,” Mr Wiebusch said.
“You need to be ready and preparing to evacuate in parts of Echuca.
“We’re going to see further evacuation warnings on the Campaspe River at Echuca later today and into Sunday.”
The Echuca SES unit said at 1pm that emergency personnel are out notifying residents most at risk of flooding to prepare for evacuation, urging people to please take heed of these warnings and listen to advice provided.
A North Central Catchment Management Authority spokesperson told last night’s community meeting in Echuca, the peak will take place about 24 hours after the peak at Rochester.
The Campaspe River at Rochester (town) peaked at 115.65 metres around midnight.
As of 7.50am, the river in Rochester is at 115.58 metres and steady, with major flooding.
Predictions are the Echuca river level will reach 95.8 metres (AHD) at the Murray Valley Highway.
The NCCMA spokesperson said they are anticipating a larger event on the Goulburn.
The flood in Shepparton is likely to peak on Tuesday and will take about four days to flow down to Echuca Moama.
Echuca Wharf gauge is predicted to peak around Saturday next week about 95.2 metres (AHD).
VicEmergency last night issued a major flood warning for the Campaspe River downstream of Rochester.
A watch and act for people to move to higher ground was issued at 9.13am this morning.
The major flooding is higher than the January 2011 flood event.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) advised the Murray River at Echuca Wharf is expected to exceed the minor flood level (93.5 metres), during Sunday.
The river level is likely to exceed the major flood level (94.40 m AHD) from around Wednesday or Thursday and may reach around 95.00 metres AHD around October 20-23, with major flooding.
This level similar to the October 1993 flood event.
The NCCMA spokesperson said during last night’s meeting at Echuca College there will be an inundation of flood water in the Echuca Village and other low lying areas to the east with evacuations “likely”.
On the northern side, the expectation is the Moama town levee “should hold back the flood”, but all other areas outside of that will be inundated.
Low-lying properties in the Lower Campaspe will be inundated early.
Areas north and south of Warren St, the bottom end of Eyre St and some of the low areas of Campaspe Esplanade are set to be inundated.
Sandbagging took place at Campaspe Esplanade, closed to traffic, throughout Friday to prepare for the impending flood.
A number of other road closures are in place.
The Northern Highway to Rochester was closed from Fehring Lane on Friday.
Simmie Road between Murray Valley Highway to O’Dea Road.
Stewarts Bridge Road from Echuca Village to Wallala Road
Sturt Street from Service Street to McKinlay Street
Kerferd Street from Sutton Street to Mitchell Street (sandbagging site)
Davis Road from Murray Valley Highway to McIntrye Road
Yambuna Bridge Road from the bridge to Wakiti Creek Caravan Park
Hopper Road from Mount Terrick Road to the river.
Echuca Kyabram Road C351 (McKenzie Road) - between Echuca Nanneella Road to O'Dea Road.
Murray River Council announced earlier this morning that Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama is now closed to the public due to the increased risk of falling trees.
Council said do not access the lagoon via the footbridges or via water and it will advise when the area is reopened.
Blair Street South and Dungala Way in Moama is closed, as is Millewa Road in Mathoura.
The Moama Soundshell and playground is closed.
Please note the following roads and areas remain closed due to flooding
Campaspe Shire Council has advised many roads west of Rochester have been closed, but added they are not able to access the area to advise details.
The public is urged to avoid travelling in this area.
There is little access from Rochester to Bamawm and Lockington.
Prairie Rochester Road, Forster Road and Railway Road are all closed.
Coliban Water said the boil water advisory remains in place for customers in Echuca.
The company said excess storm water has entered one of its water storage tranks, which may compromise the safety of drinking water.
Senior Sergeant Mick Carroll from Victoria Police addressed the community meeting and shared some insights of what transpired in Rochester yesterday.
“We’ve been down at Rochy for quite a while telling people to move and evacuate, and that advice wasn’t taken,” he said.
“It was full on, resources are very limited.
“We’ve been rescuing 96 year old people.”
Snr Sgt Carroll’s message “if you get told to evacuate, please evacuate”.
“I would suggest you listen to the experts, take their advice and be prepared to go,” he said.
An army of volunteers spent Friday filling sandbags on both sides of the border with sites at Jack Eddy Oval in Moama, on Kerferd St, Echuca and McKenzie St (at the old Echuca South Primary School - entry on the corners of Boyle St and South St).
Echuca SES said the Kerferd St and McKenzie St sites will be re-opening from 8am today, with the Moama site re-opening at 9am.
There is a relief centre at Echuca South Basketball Centre at 244 High St, Echuca.
The Murray River at Torrumbarry Weir may reach around 7.85 metres between October 25-29, a higher level than the January 1974 flood.
Evacuation orders are in place for people in Nanneella and Koyuga.
Nanneella Hall is open, while people in Koyuga are asked to evacuate to the relief centre in Echuca.
FLOOD SAFETY ADVICE:
SES advises that all community members should:
Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater,
Never allow children to play in floodwater,
Stay away from waterways and stormwater drains during and after heavy rain,
Keep well clear of fallen power lines
Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
Current Emergency Information is available at http://emergency.vic.gov.au
For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
Current Road and Traffic Information is available at the VicRoads website: http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/