6.20pm
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Redesdale had nearly 15mm of rain in half an hour as wild weather battered Bendigo and other parts of central Victoria this afternoon.
The town's weather gauge is the closest live weather tracker the Bureau of Meteorology has to Castlemaine, where a flash flood warning was issued this afternoon.
The Advertiser understands authorities are helping at least 25 properties after flood damage in that town, as well as at least eight in Bendigo.
Redesdale has copped a total 21mm of rain this afternoon all up.
Bendigo has copped 10.6mm.
5.40pm
Emergency crews are helping people deal with flooding at at least eight properties within Bendigo city limits amid a day of intense rain and power outages.
They are responding to the requests for assistance after a heavy deluge of rain swept through Bendigo.
More than 10mm of rain has fallen in the last hour, according to the weather gauge at the Bendigo Airport.
The rain has stopped but a severe thunderstorm warning remains for the city and wider region.
A lighter band of rain is expected to hit soon, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
4.35pm
VicEmergency has just issued a "watch and act - stay indoors" warning for flash flooding in Castlemaine.
"Storms are causing localised flash flooding," it reads.
"You can stay safe by avoiding flooded and low-lying areas. Floodwater can be very deep, rise quickly and move fast.
"Be aware that heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
"If you are located in Castlemaine, you are in danger. You should immediately move indoors, away from floodwater. Do not enter floodwater."
What you should do:
- Floodwater is dangerous - never enter floodwater.
If you are inside:
- Stay inside and be aware of rising floodwater.
- If floodwater comes inside, move to a higher point such as a kitchen bench or second story.
- Follow your emergency plan, if you have one.
- Contact family members and neighbours to ensure they are aware of the situation, if safe to do so.
If you are outside:
- You should stay away from trees, drains, low lying areas, creeks, canals, culverts and floodwater.
- You should seek shelter indoors, away from floodwater.
- If you are driving:
- Do not drive through floodwater.
- Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded.
- Be aware of driving hazards, such as mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
- If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low lying areas and floodwater.
- You should stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings.
- Call Triple Zero (000) in a life threatening emergency. For emergency assistance from the SES, call 132 500.
- COVID and emergencies
- If you have COVID-19 or you're a household, or household-like contact, you can leave your home in an emergency or if your health and safety, or the health or safety of someone you live with, is at risk.
- When leaving your house, where possible wear a face mask and keep 1.5 metres between you and other people.
Impacts in your area:
- Homes and buildings have been flooded.
- Roads or bridges could be flooded.
- This message was issued by State Emergency Service.
- The next update is expected by 28/01/2022 08:40 pm or as the situation changes.
- Use multiple sources to stay informed:
- www.emergency.vic.gov.au
- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
- VicEmergency app
- Facebook or Twitter (#vicfloods).
- Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
- To access this information in other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.
Homes around Lockwood, Tarnagulla and Marong are among those to have lost power as gusty winds, rain and lightning move through central Victoria.
The number of properties without power in those areas are fairly small at this stage but hundreds of homes are now without power in Newstead as heavy rains move up through central Victoria.
Lightning is flashing across the sky over Bendigo.
4.10pm
EMERGENCY crews are responding to multiple reports of flooding across Castlemaine as well as reports of a suspected lightning strike in Lockwood.
Five fire appliances are en route or have arrived at the fire, which has quickly been declared under control.
The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a long band of intense rain stretching from northern Victoria south-east to the coast to hit Bendigo soon.
At least 300 properties in the Castlemaine area have lost power and VicEmergency is reporting at least 15 requests for help following flooding.
Earlier
BENDIGO has been declared part of a thunderstorm warning area for the third day in a row and residents are being warned to prepare for intense rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones.
The warning also currently covers areas west and south of Bendigo including Maryborough.
"Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours," the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
Bendigo has so far avoided some of the worst deluges that have fallen on the state over three days of thunderstorms.
Just 4.4mm of rain fell on the city on Thursday night despite warnings that hailstones could hit and St Arnaud registering well over 30mm in half an hour.
Bendigo did get 18.2mm the day before and conditions have remained unusually humid in the lead up to what would be the third day of storms.
Emergency service crews have been kept busy even without the extreme downpours and flash flooding experienced elsewhere in the state.
Downed tree branches, power-outages and fires believed to have been started by lightning strikes have provided a steady stream of issues to deal with.
People are being urged not to take today's storm for granted - and to be kind to emergency crew members after SES volunteers were verbally abused on Wednesday.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
- Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
- Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
- Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
- Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
- Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Download our app on iOS and Android
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News
Tom O'Callaghan
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
I grew up in Bendigo and I want to tell your stories.
