Victoria faces further flooding after Melbourne’s downpour

Illustrative stock photograph: sonyakamoz / Envato. Not a photograph of this flooding event.

Warning snapshot: Bureau of Meteorology flood watch issued at 12.34 pm AEST on Friday 2 October. Check live warnings for subsequent changes.

Victoria faces the risk of further flooding after Melbourne’s Thursday downpour, with a broad flood watch covering parts of Gippsland, the North East, Central, South West and North West regions.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s midday update warned that minor flooding, with isolated moderate flooding, was possible across the watch area from Friday. Its Victorian warnings summary also listed a separate minor flood warning for the Bunyip River.

For residents and travellers, the immediate priority is to check warnings for their own location and route, particularly around waterways and low-lying roads.

Melbourne rain shifts attention to regional catchments

ABC’s Gippsland briefing reported that Melbourne received 27 millimetres of rain in two hours on Thursday afternoon, exceeding its rainfall total for September.

The broadcaster said the Bureau’s concerns had shifted towards Gippsland and the North East, where already saturated catchments could flood.

That regional focus matters for readers planning travel out of Melbourne. Conditions at the starting point of a journey do not establish whether the destination or connecting roads are safe.

Which areas are covered

The 12.34 pm Bureau flood watch, reproduced by Weatherzone, covered numerous catchments.

In Gippsland, these included the Mitchell, Avon, Macalister, Thomson and Latrobe rivers, Traralgon Creek and South Gippsland rivers. Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek, and the Yarra upstream of Warrandyte, were also listed.

Other areas included the Barwon, Leigh and Moorabool rivers, Otway Coast, Upper Murray and Mitta Mitta, Kiewa, Ovens and King, Broken, Seven and Castle creeks, multiple Goulburn River sections, Loddon and Avoca.

The watch identifies areas of potential flooding; it does not establish that every town or property in those catchments is inundated.

A flood watch and a river warning are different

Readers should distinguish the broad flood watch coverage from the separate Bunyip River warning. A broad headline cannot tell an individual household whether it should leave or whether a particular road is open.

The Bureau’s warning summary also listed severe weather and thunderstorm warnings affecting parts of Victoria when checked. Those notices have their own boundaries and may change separately from river warnings.

Use the Bureau’s live warning service together with VicEmergency for current local instructions.

Do not enter floodwater

Victoria State Emergency Service guidance warns that water over roads can conceal debris, damaged surfaces and other hazards. Flash flooding can develop quickly, sometimes before an official warning reaches those affected.

Never drive, ride, walk or allow children to play in floodwater. If a route is flooded, find a safe alternative and obey closure signs.

People in flood-prone areas should review their emergency plan, identify a safe destination and monitor official advice. Keep essential medication and a phone available, consider pets and check on vulnerable relatives or neighbours if it is safe.

Follow emergency-service directions, including evacuation instructions. If you have evacuated, wait until authorities say it is safe to return.

For flood or storm emergency assistance, call VICSES on 132 500. For a life-threatening emergency, call 000.

Keep checking conditions

The midday watch scheduled its next update by 1 pm AEST on Saturday 3 October. That does not mean conditions or other warnings will remain unchanged until then.

Before leaving home, check the latest local warning and road information. A saved article or social media image should never be treated as a substitute for live emergency advice.

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