Nagambie gains new lakes

Nagambie is known for its lake, but on Thursday, October 13, and the following days, it could have been known as the town of a thousand lakes.

As rain fell on an already saturated landscape, streets became streams and paddocks became lakes.

Even the town’s new fire station, which only became operational in June 2020, was surrounded by rising water and the CFA volunteers were forced to pump water from its car park.

Nagambie’s SES and CFA volunteers responded to calls for assistance across the district, despite their own homes being impacted by the deluge.

Several roads in the area were cut, including the exit from the Goulburn Valley Highway to Nagambie (on O’Dwyer Rd) and HeathcoteNagambie Rd from Argyle to Nagambie, while V/Line services on the Shepparton line, whether they be rail or coach, were cancelled.

A local tow truck driver reported on Friday that more than 35 cars were sitting beside the Goulburn Valley Hwy between Nagambie and Seymour with broken wheels waiting to be towed after hitting potholes up to 50cm in diameter.

Nagambie CFA captain Allen Treble said the CFA had been working closely with the SES to respond to calls, the first of which was received about 6.45am on Thursday.

“There's been multiple calls and, with the SES as the controlling agency, we’ve been doing our best to help them out,” he said.

Mr Treble said many residents had not paid enough attention to the warnings authorities had been issuing for weeks, placing greater pressure on emergency services.

“With these weather patterns coming through, we got plenty of warning in this. I think that people weren't prepared properly for the weather pattern — it caught them off guard,” he said.

“They need to start paying more attention to these weather warnings — what the bureau will put out and also the state emergency services.

"What people don't realise is they put pressure, so much pressure, on the emergency services, and it's not just SES — it's fire, it's police as well, because we all get deployed when things get stretched to the limit.“

Over the road: Floodwaters on Gerrards Rd near the Goulburn Valley Fwy.

In flood: A rival to Lake Nagambie on Grimwade Rd.

Photos: Murray Silby Busy time: Nagambie CFA captain Allen Treble’s crew members were busy responding to calls for assistance, but also had to pump water from their own station’s driveway.

Flowing stream: Floodwaters turn a street into a stream off Goulburn St in Nagambie.