General News
10 October, 2022
Region battles through flooding, warnings continue with more rain predicted this week
The local region certainly copped a drenching last week, with local roads flooding and waterways breaking their banks — and it could be set to continue this week, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned. A Flash Flood Watch and Act warning was...
The local region certainly copped a drenching last week, with local roads flooding and waterways breaking their banks — and it could be set to continue this week, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned.
A Flash Flood Watch and Act warning was issued by VicEmergency on Thursday night for areas including Maryborough, Carisbrook and Avoca as rain pelted down during the day and evening.
The Avoca River broke its banks with water flooding past the township overnight into Friday, including taking down fencing at the Avoca Public Park.
In Carisbrook, Deep Creek water lines rose, reaching the foot bridge crossing the creek off Green Street.
A section of the Maryborough-Dunolly Road at Bet Bet was temporarily closed by flood waters on Friday, while a small amount of water briefly covered London Bridge at Talbot along the Ballarat-Maryborough Road.
Lexton was also hit with some of the worst flash flooding, with many properties and roads flooded and several vehicles caught between flood water.
Maryborough SES unit controller Darren Cooper said the impacts were felt around the district.
“The situation in Carisbrook became a little too close for comfort but luckily the rain stopped and has given us a reprieve,” he said.
“There was some minor inundation to properties adjacent to Deep Creek.
“Lexton was extremely unlucky, the Burnbank Creek broke its bank causing major inundation to multiple properties along the creek line in the centre of Lexton.
“Several vehicles became trapped on the northern side of Lexton as the water rose. They became isolated. It just rose so quickly, a lot of drivers got caught unawares. Luckily the water receded before it became a danger to life and they were able to drive on.
“We had the assistance of the Ararat SES unit and they attended several properties, as did we, that suffered quite extensive damage.”
According to BOM data, 13.4 mm fell in Maryborough on Thursday, followed by 16 mm on Friday.
Avoca copped 21.2 mm falling on Thursday and around 57 mm on Friday — the highest daily rainfall recorded during the month of October since records began.
More rain is predicted for the region from Wednesday to Friday this week and Mr Cooper urged residents to be prepared.
“With the inclement weather forecast this week we’ll be quite vigilant and prepared to act,” he said.
“We’re asking residents not to become complacent after last week, maintain preparations and keep an eye on flood warnings.”
Mr Cooper said today, between 4.30 and 6.30 pm, community members can fill up sand bags at the end of Brick Kiln Road at Flagstaff.
“We have a sand dump which has been donated by Hanson Quarry. Residents can collect up to 12 sand bags per vehicle,” he said.
Avoca
Similar flooding last happened in Avoca in 2016 and Pyrenees Shire Avoca Ward councillor and Avoca Newsagency owner Ron Eason said the downpour overnight Thursday was sudden.
“The rain just came down so quick. The river came out of its banks, it flooded the footy ground and some houses were affected both in Avoca and Lexton,” he said.
“It wasn’t as big a flood through the river as it was in 2016, but it affected more properties around the town because more rain was coming down and flowing down to the river.”
Cr Eason said the community is concerned.
“People are really worried going forward that we’ve got more of this to come,” he said.
“We’ve had enough, we’re coming into summer, it’s supposed to be dry and warm but instead we’re looking down the barrel of more rain.
“We’ve got to keep looking at how we can help these communities in the future and work out where we can do better on flood mitigation but it’s a huge project.”
Major flooding last occurred in Carisbrook during 2010/11 when homes were inundated and hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate, followed by more minor flooding in 2016.
Carisbrook
Carisbrook resident and fire brigade captain Ian Boucher said emergency services are now preparing for what’s to come.
“The community feeling at the moment is concern,” he said.
“We’re ok out here now, the creek has dropped back to a more normal level.
“We’re preparing as much as we can, we have sand bags on hand at the fire station. We’re well aware of what the conditions are expected to do later in the week and we’d be expecting to see flooding happening late Thursday or Friday if it’s going to impact Carisbrook.
“The emergency services have been meeting and we’re well aware of the situation that’s pending.”
To stay up-to-date with the latest flood advice visit emergency.vic.gov.au or download the VicEmergency app.
