Up to 60 homes in Victoria’s east could still become isolated by floodwaters as the threat to residents starts to ease.
An evacuation warning for the Port of Sale was downgraded to a watch and act on Oct. 6 afternoon, with the Thomson River expected to peak at a moderate rather than major flood level.
But residents are still being told it’s not safe to return to the town and they should instead shelter in the highest possible location.
“If they’ve relocated to a safe place, stay there,” the State Emergency Service’s David Baker told reporters.
“We'll let them know as soon as it’s safe to return.”
Victorian rivers are flooding after days of heavy rain, especially in the east. There was still the potential for 60 homes to be isolated by floodwaters in the Port of Sale area, Mr. Baker said.
Emergency service volunteers door-knocked 120 properties on Oct. 5 night, with residents heeding the warnings to evacuate.
But two men had to be rescued from the roof of their car near Bairnsdale early on Oct. 6 after they tried to drive through floodwaters.
They were uninjured but Mr. Baker said they not only put themselves at risk but also emergency personnel.
“The length of a pen or a pencil is enough for a vehicle be lifted and shifted, and the results can be catastrophic for the people involved,” Mr. Baker said.
“Never enter floodwaters—it could be the last decision you make.”
Authorities estimate up to 130 properties could have been affected by floodwaters.
There were still a dozen watch and act alerts issued for eastern parts of the state, but most rivers have already peaked.
The Mitchell River at Bairnsdale topped at 6.51m about 1am on Oct. 6 but had already dropped to a steady 6.47m by 4.30am.
Residents should continue to stay across updates through the Vic Emergency app and other news sources over the coming days, Mr. Baker said.
“The flood emergency still remains insofar as while the waters are peaking, and they will discharge and recede over time,” Mr. Baker said.
“Floodwaters are still there so we say to people don’t become complacent.”
Once the floodwaters recede, crews will go into towns to inspect what damage has been left behind.
There have been no reports of death or injury.
Locals at Tinamba build a dirt levee and lay sandbags.
An alert for Tinamba, Tinamba West, Newry, Mewburn Park, Bellbird Corner, Riverslea and Maffra was downgraded to an advice message on Oct. 6 morning.
Residents have been told it’s safe to return to their homes but floodwaters, debris and other hazards might still be present.
The SES had advised on Oct. 5 that more than 100 homes near Maffra could have been inundated.
At least three homes had water above floor-height in the Newry and Tinamba area, Mr. Baker said.
The flood emergency comes days after 700 firefighters spent days battling two bushfires in Gippsland, with one home lost but no reports of serious injury.
