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As floods threatened Echuca, fellow Victorians warned:Kate Burke

Me I never imagined that I would be a traffic controller on the highway to my hometown of Echuca. But that’s how I spent nine hours on Sunday with other volunteers and emergency services staff. Local road management.

On Monday, I was shocked to hear that my town could experience a 1-in-1,000-year flood. Emergency Management Victoria A representative said: So I’m not sugarcoating this. This is serious. “

Echuca Wharf Peak Predicted 95.9m AHDA dike has been built on the east side of the town to protect the town centre. Officials fear the existing 150-year-old levees are inadequate.

Much history is at risk if events exceed current projections and planned mitigation strategies. Echuca Historic Center.

Officials outside the eastern embankment are urging flood-prone residents to prepare their properties. BIC emergency applicationevacuation is recommended.

Those less likely to be affected are asked to help friends and family and fill sandbags to strengthen existing levees. We’ve been preparing for days and the countdown has begun. Time will tell if water rules us.

Water is just one of the risks. Perhaps the greater risk is complacency or denial. Despite early evacuation notices, more than 160 residents were rescued in critical condition on Friday and Saturday.

Tinnies, telehandlers and hay trailers were the tools of the trade for unofficial rescuers who operated continuously from Friday afternoon until dawn Saturday.

Sandbags line the streets of Rochester on October 14th. Photo: James Ross/EPA

In nearby Rochester, a local farmer I call Joe was in tears as he reflected on the experience. Joe said he had never seen an event like this in his town.

After the 2011 floods, the town had 30,000 sandbags ready for laying last week.

On Friday, the river had its own idea, sending water westward from Campaspe Weir, south of Rochester. It hit the town from the southwest with a full head of steam.

By the end of the event, the entire town was submerged and the river level was 30 cm higher than in 2011.

An exhausted and emotional Joe gave advice to the people of Echuca. Please follow the advice of the authorities. Punchbag for the worst case scenario and go above and beyond again.

Rescuers in Rochester advise residents of nearby towns such as Echuca to avoid complacency.
Rescuers in Rochester advise residents of nearby towns such as Echuca to avoid complacency. Photo: James Ross/AAP

If you find work that needs to be done, stay safe and do it as emergency services are expanded. Please join and help if you can. If you are asked to move out, please do so. Nighttime rescues are dangerous and taxing on residents and rescuers.

If you can’t help, stay home. Don’t block the roads or get in the way of those who are working hard to save the town. It’s an emergency, not a spectacle.

Joe never imagined he’d be a water rescuer, but I never thought I’d be a traffic controller. Dealing with distressed travelers and concerned townspeople has been a strange but rewarding experience. It will be.

As floods threatened Echuca, fellow Victorians warned:Kate Burke

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