Monday updates: Warnings in place across region as Murray predicted to hit 95.9m in Echuca Moama
A major flood warning has been issued for Wharparilla.
VicEmergency said flooding is starting to impact residents around Glyn Road.
It follows an earlier moderate flood warning for residents around O’Dwyer Road.
The current river levels are as follows:
Murray River at Echuca Moama: 94.26m AHD (steady) at 7pm.
Murray River at Torrumbarry: 7.83m (steady) at 8pm.
Campaspe River at Echuca: 95.82m AHD (falling slowly) at 7.30pm.
VicEmergency said the Campaspe River in Echuca is expected to continue falling slowly, but is likely to remain around the major flood level (95.70m AHD) overnight Monday into Tuesday due to elevated Murray River levels.
A major flood warning has been issued for the Campaspe downstream of Rochester.
VicEmergency said widespread flooding is occurring east of the Campapse River downstream of Rochester.
Communities of Nanneella, Fairy Dell, Koyuga and Kanyapella South are currently being impacted.
5PM: A moderate flood warning was issued at 4.49pm for Gunbower, Leitchville, Patho and Torrumbarry.
VicEmergency said current modelling suggests the Torrumbarry levee may overtop.
Work is being undertaken to reinforce the levy. It is unclear how successful this will be at this stage.
Break out flows from the Murray River at Torrumbarry may potentially effect Gunbower and Leitchville.
VicEmergency urged residents to prepare for flooding now. Take actions to protect your life and property against potential hazards caused by flooding.
What you should do:
•Floodwater is dangerous - never enter floodwater.
If you choose to leave:
•Remember to take your pets, mobile phone, spare clothes and medications.
•Travel to the home of family or friends who are in a safe location, away from flooding.
•Turn off gas and electricity at your home or workplace.
•Be aware of any road closures when you leave.
If you are travelling:
•Do not enter flooded areas. Turn around a find a safe alternative route.
•Be aware of road hazards including mud, debris and damaged roads or bridges.
•Floodwater is dangerous - never drive, walk or ride through floodwater.
If you stay or if it is unsafe to leave:
•Make sure you have enough food, drinking water, medications and pet food to survive for three to five days in case you become isolated.
•Use plugs, sandbags or household items to block toilets, sinks and drains to stop sewerage backflow.
•Lift it - move valuables and vital household items up on high surfaces, such as on top of tables, chairs, benches and beds.
Impacts in your area:
•Flooding above floor level of a single-storey home is likely to occur in some locations.
The Murray River at Torrumbarry was 7.82m at 4pm.
The Murray River at Echuca was 94.26m (AHD) at 3pm.
The NSW SES issued an emergency warning to evacuate before 10am tomorrow for residents at Poverty Point, Picnic Point and Mathoura East.
It said residents must evacuate because evacuation routes will flood, with Picnic Point Road, Millewa Road and Gulpa Creek Road set to close.
NSW SES has also advised people in the following areas to prepare to evacuate due to the rising floodwaters.
East Moama, Murray Valley Regional Park, Old Deniliquin Road to the Cobb Highway, Old Barmah Road, Maidensmith Drive, West Perricoota Road, Goldsborough Road, Benarca Forest Road, Five Mile Mountain Bike Trail, Five Mile Picnic Area, Layfield Road, Lower Bottlebrush Drive, Lower River Park Drive, Lower Winbi Avenue, Holmes Street, Warden Street, Council Street, Victoria Street, Moama Street, Cadell Street.
An evacuation centre has been set-up in Moama.
2PM: Victoria’s State Emergency Service chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch has said while Campaspe River has peaked, water will remain high for days, while the Murray River is expected to peak this week.
Mr Wiebusch said the Campaspe River had receded to moderate levels in Rochester.
He said it was too early for impact assessment teams but early indications suggested 85 per cent of the town was inundated.
In Echuca, the Campaspe River had peak on Sunday night, but would remain at major flood level for some days.
A second peak is coming from the Murray River, which has an expected height of 95m AHD, which Mr Wiebusch said would cause major flooding affecting as many as 1000-2000 properties.
However, local authorities in Echuca said the river was expected to hit 95.9m AHD.
EARLIER: A community meeting at Echuca East today was told the Murray River is expected to peak at 95.9m (AHD) at Echuca Wharf in the coming days.
“The peak of the Murray River is expected to 95.9m at the Echuca Wharf,” an official from Emergency Management Victoria said at the meeting.
“What we don’t understand yet, because of the significance of this event, are the things like the levee bank that was built around Moama before the records were taken.
“This is potentially what we talk about being a one in 1000 year event.
“There are things that are happening that have never been recorded before. I am not sugarcoating this, this is serious.”
If that eventuates it would be the highest recorded level since 1870 when the river reached 96.2m.
Hundreds of homes are anticipated to be impacted.
As of 8am today, the Murray River was at 94.25m AHD.
EARLIER: The flood threat for Echuca Moama remains despite the Campaspe River hitting its peak on Sunday afternoon.
A major flood warning is in place for the Murray River.
The floodwaters on the Goulburn and Campaspe rivers combined with flows down the Murray River are expected to cause major flooding at Echuca Moama in the coming days.
At 7am today, the Murray River was at 94.24m AHD.
The Murray River at Echuca Wharf is likely to exceed the major flood level (94.40m AHD) around Monday and may reach around 95.00m AHD around Wednesday and Thursday, with major flooding.
As this flood water moves downstream, river level rises and significant major flooding is expected at Torrumbarry and Barham.
The Murray River at Torrumbarry Weir may reach around 7.85 metres around 24-29 October, with major flooding.
This is higher than the January 1974 flood.
The BOM said forecasts will be updated as upstream peaks are observed along the along the Goulburn and Campaspe Rivers.
The Campaspe River hit a peak of 96.25m AHD in Echuca on Sunday afternoon.
As of 11.54pm on Sunday night, the river was at 96.18m and falling slowly.
But the BOM said the river is expected to remain around 96.20m on Monday morning due to elevated Murray River levels.
The major flood warning remains for the Campaspe River with major flooding expected to continue for the next few days.
An evacuate immediately warning, re-issued by VicEmergency at 6.04am this morning, is in place for parts of Echuca and Echuca Village.
Residents in Echuca Village can expect to be impacted over the coming days.
If you are located in the warning areas, it is recommended you evacuate Immediately. If you do not relocate now you may become isolated for a number of days.
If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you.
The evacuation route is currently open but may not stay that way.
The Bendigo Emergency Relief Centre (Bendigo Showgrounds) is being utilised as primary Relief Centre for the area.
People should expect that there may be a requirement to be moved to Bendigo from Echuca Emergency Relief Centre (Echuca South Basketball Stadium).
Flood water is impacting water and sewerage systems in Echuca.
Campaspe Shire Council is holding a Flood Preparation Community Meeting at Echuca East Primary School Oval today from 10am.
The meeting is for residents living between:
- Heygarth Street to Crofton Street
- Heygarth Street down to Leichardt Street out to the East Boat Ramp (Echuca East Area)
Meeting will be livestreamed via this Facebook page - however residents living in this area are strongly encouraged to attend in person.
Across the border, the NSW SES has advised people in the following areas of Moama to prepare to evacuate due to predicted rising floodwaters.
East Moama
Murray Valley Regional Park
Old Deniliquin Road to the Cobb Highway
Old Barmah Road
Maidensmith Drive
West Perricoota Road
Goldsborough Road
Benarca Forest Road
Five Mile Mountain Bike Trail
Five Mile Picnic Area
Layfield Road
Lower Bottlebrush Drive
Lower River Park Drive
Lower Winbi Avenue
You should monitor the situation and prepare to evacuate so that you can safely evacuate when instructed to do so by NSW SES.
Wherever possible, you should prepare to stay with family or friends, or make other accommodation arrangements.
If you are unable to find accommodation, an evacuation centre has been set up at Moama Pavilion, Kirchhofer Street, Moama.
It follows an earlier evacuate now warning to people at Moama Caravan and Tourist Parks by 9am today.
Echuca Regional Health said the hospital’s emergency department is still accessible via 226 Service St, Echuca and open 24/7.
Alternatively, Nurse On Call can provide immediate, expert advice from a registered practitioner. Nurse On Call can be contacted by calling 1300 60 60 24.
In the event on an emergency, please call 000.
For flooding assistance, SES Victoria can be contacted on 132 500.