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**Coverage continues below the weather radar**
2.30pm: Heavy rainfall is not expected in the north central region for the rest of the weekend.
Incident Controller Paul Bates thanked the community for their vigilance in preparing for the forecast weather.
“Their safe behaviour allowed us to focus our efforts on emergency response and send resources where they were most needed,” he said.
“We are asking people to still remain aware and stay informed of weather conditions. People can keep up to date by downloading the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline at 1800 226 226.
“SES advises to stay away from any flood waters. For flood assistance please call 132 500 and for any life-threatening situations call 000.”
12.30pm: It appears the worst of the weather is behind us, for those living in central Victoria at least.
Loddon Mallee region Incident Controller Paul Bates said the forecasts didn’t predict much more significant rain to fall in the region.
“We’re not expecting too much more in terms of risk to the community.”
But he said people needed to remain aware of the situation around them, and to stay away from flood waters.
“Entering flood waters puts your life at risk and the lives of SES volunteers,” he said.
During the initial stages of the storm, Mr Bates said there were two main concerns – river flooding in areas like Carisbrook and Rochester and flash-flooding in other areas.
While the first didn’t eventuate, areas along the river such as Echuca, Kerang and Cohuna did experience flash-flooding.
“Echuca was a real focus with up to 100mm overnight,” he said.
SES crews were called to 15 homes and 10 business, including one supermarket with extensive damage from the storm.
Mr Bates said the clean up continued today, with CFA volunteers supporting the SES crews.
Campaspe Shire workers are also assisting with debris on the roads following the flash-flooding.
For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500
11.15am: Good news for central Victoria – the region is no longer included in the severe weather warning area.
But spare a thought for the east of the state, where further heavy rainfall is expected today and tomorrow.
Major flood warnings still exist in the east, with residents in parts of Myrtleford and Buckland urged to flee as floodwaters continued to rise overnight.
9am: Central Victorians are reporting varying rainfall totals, with some well above 100mm:
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8.30am: Good morning – how’s the weather at your place?
The Bureau of Meteorology is still forecasting heavy rainfall for northern, central and eastern Victoria, but Bendigo remains just outside the severe weather warning area.
So far the highest rainfall has occurred at Mount Wombat, in the the Strathbogie Ranges with 190mm.
Residents in two townships in the north-east – including parts of Myrtleford and Buckland – have been told to evacuate as rivers bloated by heavy rain threaten to burst their banks.
Locally, Bendigo has had 22mm since 9am yesterday, 55mm at Rochester, 44mm at the Campaspe Weir, 42mm at Swan Hill, 19mm at Redesdale, 9.4mm at Charlton and 11mm at Malmsbury, according to the bureau.
Heavy rain is still forecast for Bendigo and much of central Victoria, but it looks like the city may escape the worst of it.
Emergency authorities have said anyone labelling the rainfall a fizzer on Friday was badly underestimating the storm.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms, which may lead to flash flooding, are still predicted for the above warning area with a focus on the north east and east Gippsland.
The bureau advises heavy rain will continue throughout today though it is expected to ease from the west during the day, before contracting to the southeast on Sunday.
Isolated thunderstorms will contract to the northeast during the rest of Saturday.
Further rain totals forecast to Sunday night:
- 20-40mm in the warning area for northwest and central Victoria, extending to south Gippsland;
- 50-100mm for the Northeast and remainder of Gippsland, isolated falls exceeding 150mm about the Great Dividing Range and adjacent slopes.
State Emergency Service advice
- Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water;
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains;
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks;
- Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads;