WANGARATTA and surrounds will likely avoid any major flooding until at least the weekend despite heavy downpours of rain throughout Tuesday morning.
The 37.7mm of rain recorded at Wangaratta Airport’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) recording station from 2am Tuesday compounded the city’s wettest November week in 70 years to end spring.
A minor flood watch warning was issued Monday afternoon by the BOM and emergency services for the Ovens River and King River catchments, but was cancelled on Tuesday afternoon.
Wangaratta SES Unit controller Jess Zuber said crews responded to a number of flooding and building damage callouts across the rural city during Tuesday’s consistent downpours.
“We’re going to keep an eye on it, we know we’ve got some more rain coming this weekend that could impact our river systems,” she said.
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“Our risk is reducing as the day goes on but we just need to be prepared.
“Touch wood, we’re hoping the worst has past.”
As of 1pm Tuesday, the Ovens River level at Wangaratta was steady at 10.6m according to the BOM, below the minor flood level of 11.9m.
According to the BOM, rainfall across the Ovens River catchments was consistent to Wangaratta totals, with the highest recorded rain of 51mm in the 24 hours to 9am Tuesday at Mount Buffalo Chalet recording station.
Cheshunt received 42mm in the same period of time to be the highest amount of rain received in the King River catchment.
BOM issued a moderate flood warning at 4:30pm Tuesday for the Docker Road Bridge from Tuesday night.
As of 4pm Tuesday, King River levels at the sight sat steady at 2.63m, and could peak near the moderate flood level of 3.95m by Wednesday morning.
Ms Zuber said the impacts of the excessive rain could clearly be seen over roads in the city’s centre.
“We’re seeing a lot of backyards flooded from rain and that build up of water,” she said.
“Hopefully it’ll get away before that next lot of rain but we know our storm drains are quite full so we’re urging everyone to take care.”
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms were forecast across the North East for the remainder of Tuesday, but rainfall totals were not expected to be significant.
As for the rest of the week, showers and possible storms were forecasted to return to the region on Friday and Saturday according to the BOM as of 3pm Tuesday, with up to 20mm predicted to fall on both days.
Ms Zuber said she urged the community to take care on the roads while flood water was present, particularly around trees.
“It’s important we start preparing now,” she said.
BOM said Ovens and King River catchments are relatively wet after rainfall over the past week with levels elevated and continued to monitor the situation.
Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
You can find out more about Wangaratta’s flood guide via the link: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/.../rural-city-of-wangaratta.
For emergency services, call the SES on 132 500.
