Updated: A warning for Bogong Village and Falls Creek was issued on Tuesday because of a “slow moving active landslide” on the Bogong High Plains Road above Bogong Village
Victorians are on alert for widespread flooding later this week and some residents have been urged to prepare for the possibility of being isolated for up to 72 hours as authorities brace for heavy rain in coming days.Premier Daniel Andrews at the State Control Centre in Melbourne on Tuesday.“We know that our catchments are full. We know that we’ve had record rainfall to this point and the ground is absolutely sodden.
Parkyn also warned there could be flash flooding in Melbourne on Thursday as the “significant rainfall event” hits. Riverine flooding was also a risk from Friday and into the weekend as water flowed downstream. The road has been reduced to one lane and a reduced speed limit, but will be closed from midday on Wednesday ahead of poor weather worsening the landslide, Emergency Victoria said.
Andrews said the state was prepared, with a helicopter fleet and generators prepared in case regional communities lost power. He said the government had also prepared two caches of supplies that could sustain 50 people for up to five days after a potential major emergency.Andrews also confirmed Victorian authorities had spoken to the Australian Defence Force to prepare for the downpour, but no formal request for support had been made.
SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch warned “the biggest risk for Melbourne is flash flooding” and said authorities were discouraging people from driving across the northern part of the state on Thursday, when the weather was expected to intensify. Wildlife Victoria has implemented an emergency action plan and will double capacity to manage the expected number of increased calls this month.