Australia

Thousands more homes threatened as floods surge

Rivers continue to swell in Victoria, threatening thousands of homes and displacing more, cutting towns from civilization and crippling communities.

The crisis comes as Australia’s east coast prepares for more thunderstorms this week and flooding threats are renewed in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

In total, over 60 flood warnings have been issued across Victoria, extending to the NSW border just north of Melbourne, and water continues to surge.

As of 5:20am, 63 flood warnings have been issued across Victoria. (Big Emergency)
It was Shepperton scene at 5:30 this morning when the floodwaters began to engulf the traffic lights.
It was Shepperton scene at 5:30 this morning when the floodwaters began to engulf the traffic lights. (today)
A car is overturned in the town center of Shepperton.
A car is overturned in the town center of Shepperton. (today)

There is great concern in the regional center of Shepperton today, with the Goulburn River expected to peak at a record 12.2 meters this morning.

However today Reporter Christine Ahern explained that another situation is unfolding as saturated watersheds merge with each other.

“At the moment it’s just below that, but there’s a situation where the stream joins the river system and the water is also rising from the drain,” she said.

“Authorities estimate that more than 7,000 homes in the Greater Shepparton area will be affected, of which 2,500 will be flooded.”

SES says it has carried out 173 rescues in the last 24 hours alone. Majority around Shepperton.

The town of Shepperton is submerged. This photo was taken around 6:30 am and the Goulburn River is predicted to reach its peak sometime this morning.
The town of Shepperton is submerged. This photo was taken around 6:30 am and the Goulburn River is predicted to reach its peak sometime this morning. (today)

The Victoria Emergency has issued a warning to low-lying residents from Burnadown to Rochester along the Kampaspe River to move to higher ground as the river is still experiencing major flooding.

Water levels in the Campazpe River peaked yesterday afternoon, already submerging dozens of homes in Echuca.

“The Campazpe River in Echuca peaked at 96.25 meters Australian Height Standard (AHD) in heavy flooding late Sunday afternoon and is now at 96.18 meters and is slowly falling in heavy flooding.” wrote the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).

today Reporter Isabella Stakowski said Echuca could go bankrupt again in the coming days.

In Echuca, sandbags protect against flooding. (Nine)
“A very real fear over the next few days is more rain and the Murray River peaking,” she said.

“It’s very high right now, and it’s expected that Echuca could hit again. At that point, it’s expected that up to 1,200 homes could be affected in four days.”

And the neighboring townships of Mullupuna and Kiara are separated from each other.

Mooroopna’s power plant had to shut down yesterday after it lost power, leaving thousands of residents without power for days.

The site was
The site was “de-energized” as floodwaters from the Goulburn River reached Powercor’s Mooroopna zone substation. (Powercore Australia)

Dozens of roads were closed across the state after the floodwaters inundated.

About 100 defense personnel have been deployed in the state to help with evacuations and sandbags.

Flooding in northern and northeastern Tasmania is also causing destruction.

tasmanian local "Adam" I shared this photo showing the flooding of meandering rivers through the central and northern regions of the state. "For context, meandering rivers are usually not visible from this location." he wrote on twitter.
Tasmanian local ‘Adam’ shared this photo on Saturday. It shows the flooding of the meandering rivers that meander through the central and northern parts of the state. “For context, meandering rivers are usually not visible from this location,” he wrote on Twitter. (Twitter: @Aussierrific)

Several flood warnings are still in effect for the state, with the highest warnings in place for areas around the Meander and Macquarie rivers.

Floods also threaten central western New South Wales, with 75 SES warnings issued statewide.

“The focus for the next 24 hours will be Mid Murray and Edward Rivers,” the statement said.

“Flood levels have already exceeded 2016 levels and are expected to exceed 1993 flood levels in Ekcha and Moama. Other locations include Forbes, Narrandera, Wee Waah, Warren, Nanami, Jemalong and Barham will be

Local Forbes residents deal with fourth flood in two years.Photo by Nick Moir October 14, 2022
Residents of Forbes, a town in central western New South Wales, were flooded for the fourth time in two years over the weekend. (Nick More)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a one-time flood payment to flood victims in Tasmania and Victoria.

Affected persons can receive a payment of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child.

“Of course, this support is a small amount of compensation, but it means people have that support on the ground and we make it available,” he said.

“And that information [Sunday] In the afternoon so that the money flows quickly. “

This payment is in addition to disaster recovery benefits already available in the state.

Homes to be auctioned as devastating floods hit western New South Wales

Thousands more homes threatened as floods surge

Source link Thousands more homes threatened as floods surge

Back to top button