Major flooding is expected for the Victorian city of Sale this morning after residents were warned it is unsafe to return home.
The Thomson River is approaching the moderate flood level of three metres this morning and is expected to break the major flood level of four metres before noon.
People who have not yet evacuated Sale are now urged to move to the highest ground possible.
Those who have left have been told they are unlikely to be able to return home for up to 12 to 24 hours.
“We had about 10 minutes before it went through the shed and then it just rose,” one Newry resident said.
“The roar through here was just insane.”
Moderate flooding is also taking place along the Ovens, Mitchell, Yarra, and Wonangatta rivers, with residents in various locations urged to move to higher ground.
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Residents in Tinamba, Tinamba West, Newry and the surrounding area have also been warned it isn’t safe to return home yet, and likely won’t be until midday.
The Macalister River is expected to recede below the moderate flood level today.
Fires to floods: Wild weather hits Australia’s east-coast
Despite the widespread flooding, Victoria remains in the grip of a double threat with the Gippsland fires continuing to smoulder.
A major bushfire near Briagolong has burned through 16,500 hectares and last night residents were warned it was not under control, though the warning level has decreased to “stay informed”.
Another blaze that threatened homes near Loch Sport has burned through 2700 hectares.
