Welcome to the McPherson Media Group live blog, covering expected flooding across the Goulburn Valley, Campaspe Valley and Murray River.
We’ll have links to stories from across the region in the blog across the day.
We’ll post updates across the afternoon and into the evening about what’s happening across the region. If you have information or photos, send them through to max.stainkamph@mmg.com.au.
UPDATE, 4.45pm: Signing off for the day
It’s been a shorter blog today as the region braces for rain overnight.
Speaking to people across the day and across the region, that rain will determine how serious flooding is over the next few days.
For the Campaspe River, the rain in Kyneton and Heathcote will determine the flood levels in Rochester and Echuca, while for the Goulburn River rainfall down past Benalla and Seymour will play a large role in the flood levels.
Monique Preston has a story about what to do and not do with flooding on the way. Stay safe in tonight’s storm, and drive with extreme caution with heavy rainfall forecast across the state over the next 36 hours.
We’ll have a blog rolling from tomorrow morning across the region, so make sure you keep up to date with them.
UPDATE, 4.15pm: Rochester preparing for floods
Rohan Aldous has been in Rochester today and has the full story from his trip to Rochester Recreation Reserve.
There are 35 to 40 houses in Rochester that are in immediate danger if flood waters rise to minor levels, while some 300 homes could be affected if flooding reaches levels of previous years.
However, Rohan said there was a general acknowledgement among those in the long queue at the Rec Reserve that Rochester residents were much better prepared this year than they were in 2011, when the town was inundated with floodwaters and many people had just 24 hours to prepare.
UPDATE, 3.15pm: Sandbags available in Shepparton
Monique Preston popped down to the sandbag line in Kialla, Shepparton, to speak to SES and Search and Rescue earlier today.
Have a gander at here story here.
UPDATE, 2.45pm: Lines stretching around Rochester Rec Reserve
I’ve just heard from Campaspe Valley News reporter Rohan Aldous from Rochester, who’s been at the Rochester Recreation Reserve this afternoon.
He said there was a line stretching halfway around the reserve, and Rochester SES wanted to stress sandbags were only available to people in low-lying areas of Rochester.
The SES also said they wouldn’t know exactly how much flood water to brace for until rains fell on Thursday night and Friday morning.
Also, the Benalla Show has been cancelled on police advice due to potential flooding at the showgrounds.
UPDATE, 2.30pm: Important information about floods
The most important thing to do is to ensure you have the Vic Emergency App on your phone to stay across the latest updates.
The SES has reminded people to never enter floodwater and never drive in floodwater, and if you need emergency assistance from the SES call 132 500, with that number working for those reading in NSW and Victoria.
The NSW Emergency app will keep you across warnings north of the Murray.
Call Triple Zero (000) in life-threatening emergencies.
UPDATE, 2.15pm: Major flood warning pushed across the region
The Vic Emergency app is warning of major flooding “likely” across a number of catchments in the region.
Rain fell across the region on Wednesday, with more heavy rain expected to increase on Thursday and Friday resulting in flash flooding.
Anywhere from 60mm to 100mm is expected to fall north of the divide over the coming few days.
Rochester and communities along the Campaspe River are bracing for major flooding, with the Rochester SES Unit asking people to assist filling sandbags.
Sandbags are available from the Rochester Recreation Reserve.
We’ve heard residents were told they may be cut off from their homes in coming days, while there have been call-outs at Mackay St and Dudley St.
In Echuca, there’s been a call-out for flooding at Moama St, while moderate flooding is occuring along the Murray at Torrumbarry and Barham.
In Shepparton the Goulburn and Broken Rivers have major flood warnings in place, while Seven and Castle Creeks and the Broken Creek are also expecting to swell over the coming few days.
Those rivers are expected to rise in Seymour, Euroa and Benalla.
Thompsons Beach in Cobram is also completely under water.
The Mitre 10 in Benalla is also out of sandbags, and isn’t expecting more until next week, reports our Benalla editor Simon Ruppert.