Warning to Victorians as significant rain event looms

Some communities are being warned they could be isolated for up to 72 hours as heavy rain begins to move in across the state.

Falls of up to 100mm are predicted in some areas north of the dividing range, while Melbourne is expected to receive between 30mm and 50mm.

The greatest concerns are held for communities near the Wimmera, Avoca, Loddon, Campaspe, Goulburn, Broken, King and Ovens rivers.

Jamie Devenish from the Victorian State Emergency Service, said they’d received 280 calls for help on Wednesday, with most “nuisance” flooding.

“We are really concerned about the flash flood potential tomorrow,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear the latest from the SES

Senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, Matt Thomas, says Bendigo, Castlemaine and Shepparton will be among the hardest-hit by rain beginning on Wednesday and intensifying on Thursday.

Those in high risk areas are urged to have enough supplies for 72 hours of isolation, and homeowners have been urged to clean their gutters and remove debris from their properties.

“We’re expecting totals of around 70 to 80mm, perhaps up to 100mm in some locations,” Mr Thomas said.

“That’s got potential to cause large river rises. We’ve already got saturated soil across the whole of the state.”

Press PLAY below to hear the message from the Bureau of Meteorology

A SEVERE Weather Warning has been issued for Thursday 13 October, for HEAVY RAINFALL across western and central parts of Victoria.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for northern and western Victoria from overnight Wednesday and through Thursday (1/2) pic.twitter.com/HbecCbMoQK

— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) October 11, 2022