Floods in Victoria; Qld braces for cyclone

MELBOURNE:AUTHORITIES remain on alert for rising floodwaters across Victoria after heavy falls drenched the state, stranding about 120 people on a freeway.

About 120 people had to be relocated from the flooded Hume Freeway in northeast Victoria, including 17 winched to safety by helicopter, as heavy rains drenched the state.

More than a month’s worth of rain has fallen across parts of northeast Victoria as wild weather raged across the state. Authorities said some people had not heeded warnings about driving into floodwaters.

‘‘We’ve seen people that have had to be rescued from the roofs of their cars, 17 people in total,’’ Victoria State Emergency Service Chief Officer Tim Wiebusch said.

‘‘Early indications is the Hume Highway will be impacted for another 48 hours.’’

The moisture from tropical Cyclone Owen was feeding the lowpressure system over Victoria yesterday, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The rain is expected to continue today.

Meanwhile, a severe cyclone expected to hit Queensland today could spark flooding and landslips in other parts of the state.

Queensland is once again on emergency footing as Cyclone Owen builds in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The category three storm is expected to grow into a destructive category four before it crosses the Queensland coast today.

The latest forecasts have it hitting land on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula, south of Kowanyama.

Communities in the firing line are braced for winds that could peak at about 280kmh.

Authorities yesterday had evacuated some medically vulnerable residents from the danger zone.

After crossing the peninsula, Owen is expected to head south, bringing rain that could cause flash flooding to Queensland’s east coast.

Queensland’s disaster coordination centre has been activated and the state’s disaster management committee will continue to meet as the cyclone nears.

Police have warned holidaymakers heading for coastal destinations to be aware of the wild weather to come. — AAP