MAJOR flood warnings were issued for towns along the Loddon, Avoca and Campaspe rivers as Carisbrook and Charlton was evacuated and Bridgewater and Newbridge were submerged. Many flood stricken-towns across central and northern Victoria have received their entire summer rainfall average in just five days, the Bureau of Meteorology says. The torrential downpour since Monday morning, which occurred on already soaked catchments and subsoils, has resulted in more widespread flooding than last year's big wet. Towns along the Loddon isolated by floods included Maryborough, Lexton, Dunolly and Wedderburn, the SES said.

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It warned that Serpentine, Durham Ox, Boort and Kerang could be affected. Warnings were issued for Charlton, Culgoa and Quambatook, along the Avoca River. Relief centres have been set up at Princes Park in Maryborough, Charlton Shire Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Tarnagulla Theatre and Inglewood and Calivil senior citizens centres. Floodwater is expected to peak during the next 12 hours and emergency services crews are working overtime to help flood-affected residents and motorists. "Many roads across the flood-affected areas are now impassable," the SES said. "Strong winds and wet soil will increase the risk of trees falling onto roads and powerlines. Drivers are advised to avoid driving on the roads unless absolutely necessary." Senior Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Dean Stewart said clear conditions were predicted for the next seven days. He said the worst of the La Nina shower event had passed the state and residents should expect clear conditions, with the chance of some isolated showers during the clean-up effort next week. "Widespread flooding had occurred across much of the state, with some relief now in sight," he said. "Hot and humid conditions will likely last over the weekend but will ease by early next week with a cool change and only a small chance of showers next Friday." Climatologist Belinda Campbell said Kyneton, Maryborough, Inglewood and Avoca had all broken their monthly rainfall records for any month since records began. "Kyneton received 263mm of rain between the five-day downpour from 9am Monday, January 10, to 9am today," she said. "Maryborough received 228mm during the same period, Inglewood broke the November 2010 record of 209mm, and received 216.2mm. "Avoca also received record rainfall of any month on 201mm during the same five-day period." Ms Campbell said many parts of central and northern Victoria had received their entire summer rainfall average in just five days. "And we're only halfway through January," she said. An average of more than 230mm of rain was recorded across Victoria in the past five days, which beats the November average of 214mm. A slow-moving and severe storm system was responsible for the downpour, which travelled south across the state producing strong wind gusts.