WANGARATTA and the North East community were put on flood watch on Tuesday as heavy rainfall continued to persist in the region.

Since 2am Tuesday, Wangaratta Airport’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) recording station received 33.6mm of rain, with forecasts expecting rain to persist throughout the day and a chance of a thunderstorm, becoming less likely in the evening.

As of 10am Tuesday, river level at Ovens River Wangaratta was rising according to the BOM at 10.60m, 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.

A minor flood watch warning was issued Monday afternoon by the BOM and emergency services for the Ovens and Kind River catchments which have been subject to heavy rainfall over the last week.

“River and creek level rises are likely, with areas of minor flooding possible across the Flood Watch area from Tuesday morning,” a SES spokesperson said.

“Farmers with low-lying land should consider moving livestock and machinery to higher ground.”

The SES advises the community to decide what you and your family will do if flooding impacts you.

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.