There is “light at the end of the tunnel” with the water level in Shepparton and Moooropna after the water level peaked at 12.06m on Monday morning despite the city bracing for an expected peak of 12.2m.
Victoria’s State Emergency Service chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said that extra 14 centimetres made a “significant difference” to the number of homes and businesses which would be affected by floodwaters.
Mr Wiebusch said there were roughly 4000 properties isolated or indundated in Shepparton and Mooroopna, but said people should expect the water to stay high for four or five days.
“It will be Thursday into Friday before the water can recede and in regards to the Causeway ... it will need to be assessed before it can be opened,” he said.
“It will be some time before the Goulburn goes below the major level of 11m.
Mr Wiebusch said the Broken River at Orrvale had peaked at 8.35m and will remain at major flood level for a few days.
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.
More than 650 flood rescues occur, 150 in Shepparton/GV district, some were still being responded to.
In Seymour, the Goulburn River has receded despite water coming out of Lake Eildon.