ECHUCA COMBATS WORST FLOOD SINCE 1993
RESIDENTS in a Victorian border town have been warned to evacuate immediately or risk being “isolated for a number of days” as the town experiences its worst flooding in decades.
SES crews and emergency services remain in overdrive as Australia’s east coast continues to be smashed by heavy thunderstorms and rain, with multiple alerts already warning people to flee parts of Victorian, NSW
and Queensland towns and cities.
The Murray River at Echuca has reached its highest level since the devastating 1993 floods as water peaked about 94.8m on Saturday.
Victorian emergency services have told people who are living, working or holidaying in Echuca and Echuca Village to evacuate immediately.
A warning on the Vic Emergency website states major flooding could peak about 95m from Sunday evening, with major flooding possible.
“If you do not relocate now you may become isolated for a number of
days,” the warning states. “If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you.”
Another alert for the Campaspe River at Echuca, downstream of Rochester, warns people to move to higher ground as they are “in danger”.
In NSW, residents in multiple streets of South Moree, on the banks of the Mehi River, were urged to evacuate at 7.26am on Sunday.
Flood warnings remain current for many NSW catchments, including the Orara and Macleay catchments.
A separate flood watch is current
for the Inland Rivers and the Wollombi Brook, Lower Hunter, Hawkesbury Nepean and Colo rivers.
In Queensland, multiple flood and weather warnings were issued for parts of the southeast coast, Darling Downs and the Granite Belt districts on Sunday.
The warnings come as drivers are being urged to take care on the roads after an elderly woman was rescued when her car was swept away in floodwaters at Scrubby
Creek Crossing south of
Maryborough on Friday.