CLIMATE change is heightening the risk of extreme flooding events, a risk and resilience expert has warned.
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Andrew Gissing said the anniversary of the 2011 floods was a timely reminder for communities and governments to continue investing in flood mitigation and flood preparedness.
"Taking action on climate change is a key aspect of disaster resilience," Mr Gissing said.
Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the 2011 floods. Carisbrook, Kerang, Charlton, Rochester, Echuca, Bridgewater and Newbridge were among the central Victorian communities hardest hit.
Flood mitigation works in Carisbrook are still ongoing, with construction of a levee still underway.
Mr Gissing - the general manager of Risk Frontiers, a research and development company specialising in natural hazards - said there was a risk Victoria could see further flooding comparable to 2011.
"Though these floods were really big... they've certainly got the opportunity to repeat themselves in future," he said.
"When we look at climate change into the future in Victoria we do see a warming and drying trend.
"The warming of the atmosphere means the atmosphere can hold more water, so when it does rain there's a higher chance of extreme rainfall events, which could lead to flooding."
He said communities needed to be aware of their flood risk and know what they were going to do in case of flooding.
"Having that home emergency plan for flooding is really important," Mr Gissing said.
Following advice from emergency services was also key.
Mr Gissing said there had been significant improvements in flood preparedness since 2011, like flood mapping.
He called for a continued effort from communities and governments in implementing some of the work that had taken place in the decade since the natural disaster.
More news: A decade on, the 2011 floods from the air
Reflecting on the 10th anniversary of the floods last week, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the sector was committed to continuous enhancements to ensure VIctoria had the best emergency preparedness and response to keep the community safe.
"In the decade since the 2011 record floods in central Victoria, we've learnt a lot and made significant improvements to our emergency flood response to ensure the safety of at-risk communities," he said.
Several of the Carisbrook residents who attended a gathering on Monday last week to reflect on the 2011 floods said the disaster was still affecting community members.
Both Trish Coutts and Carisbrook Fire Brigade Captain Ian Boucher highlighted the mental side to disaster recovery.
"Every time it rains they [people] start to shift stuff up. That's not on. We don't want to see that. It's not fair to people when things could be fixed," Ms Coutts said.
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