City to host flood education sessions

Emergency services are calling on the Wimmera community to remain openminded and educated about the threat of natural disaster.

Severe floods in New South Wales and a forecast wet winter and spring have prompted the Victorian State Emergency Service to help people prepare for emergencies.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast above-average rain between August and October.

Flood information sessions in Horsham on Sunday, August 21, will discuss the city’s flood risks and mitigation strategies for residents.

Floods inundated Horsham in January 2011 – the city’s largest flood on record, with the Horsham gauge measuring 4.27-metres at Walmer.

Floodwaters split the city in two, 500 properties were isolated, and aged care facilities, a caravan park and other municipal facilities were evacuated. Significant flooding has occurred in Horsham more than 15 times since records began in the mid-18th century.

The 2011 flood also impacted towns including Dimboola, Jeparit, Glenorchy, Halls Gap, Dadswells Bridge, Warracknabeal, Rupanyup and their surrounding districts – via riverine or stormwater flooding.

In some instances, it can take multiple days for flooding to impact towns and districts downstream.

The State Emergency Service’s Grampians region operations manager James Cini particularly encouraged new residents to Horsham to attend the information sessions.

“We know that floods don’t occur very often, but as was shown in recent NSW floods, they can have long lasting impacts on the community,” he said.

“We want everyone to know how they can be prepared for a flood and what they should do to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

“Our experience shows that people who are prepared suffer less damages and recover more quickly.”

Mr Cini said people could access flood-prone areas via www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-staysafe/flood-guides

“The Horsham local flood guide will be a valuable tool to support residents to prepare for floods and other emergencies, and to act quickly and responsibly to minimise the impact and ultimately the toll of the emergency event,” he said.

The information sessions are at Horsham Neighbourhood House at 13 Robin Street; people can drop-in anytime between noon and 4pm.