Echuca locals are preparing for another flood peak from the Murray River, which is expected in the next 48 hours but sandbags have become scarce. More than 1,000 homes in the area have already been inundated with floodwater in the region.
Look back on Monday's developments as they happened with our blog.
Key events
- Echuca residents told current levee banks are too low
- More than 11,000 Victorians displaced by floods
- Watch live: Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier give flood update
- Hundreds spared as authorities confident Goulburn River has peaked in Shepparton
- 'Depressing' impact of floods revealed in Victoria
- Federal emergency services minister warns it's 'a very serious situation'
Live updates
By Judd Boaz
Where to find emergency assistance and information
We're going to close the live blog here, but here's where to find emergency assistance and information.
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For emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500
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If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately
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Roads and bridges may be impacted by flash flooding. You can find the latest Victorian evacuation orders here, the latest Tasmanian evacuation orders here and the latest NSW evacuation orders here.
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For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology
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If you're not sure what to do when there's a flood, here's the best way to plan
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:
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ABC Radio Melbourne on 774am or online
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ABC Radio Sydney on 702am or online
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ABC Radio Hobart on 936am or online
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Search for a different frequency using the ABC Radio Finder
By Judd Boaz
The state of play in the flood crisis
The flood crisis continued on Monday, as some assessed the damage from the weekend, while others braced for another wave of flooding.
Further rainfall is expected towards the end of the week, with falls of up to 100mm expected in isolated areas in the east and south-east.
People in flood-affected areas are reminded to stay alert of their conditions and never drive through flood water.
Victoria
Waters are still yet to recede in Shepparton, while towns such as Echuca will brace for a possible second wave of flooding in the coming days.
It comes as the government sprang into action, fixing tens of thousands of potholes created by flooding and promising a $165 million emergency road repair blitz.
Here are the major current warnings from the Victoria State Emergency Service:
- Evacuation warning issued for Charlton. Residents are advised flooding will be similar to September 2010, with flooding above floor level of a single-story home likely to occur. A relief centre has been opened at Wycheproof P-12 College, McKenzie Cr, Wycheproof.
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Evacuation warning issued for Echuca and Echuca Village. ADF personnel have worked throughout the day with Echuca residents to construct a 2-km long levee, battling a shortage of sandbags and time. A relief centre for residents has been set up at Bendigo Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo. If assistance is required to travel, residents can go to Echuca South Basketball Stadium, 244 High Street, Echuca South.
- Evacuation warning issued for Bunbartha. Anyone nearby is instructed to evacuate due to increased flows in the Goulburn River system. The SES recommends the safest evacuation route via the Barmah-Shepparton Rd.
You can continue to stay up to date with Victoria's flood developments here.
New South Wales
A total of 31 NSW LGAs have now been disaster declared, including the town of Forbes where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet visited today.
People in Cummeragunja, near Barmah in southern New South Wales, were ordered to evacuate before 12pm today, due to expected major flooding along the Murray River.
Flooding is also impacting several other areas including Forbes, Narrandera, Wee Waa and Warren.
At the border town of Moama, flooding is expected to exceed 1993 levels, with more than 45,000 sandbags expected to be deployed to protect the town.
Tasmania
Another rain band is expected to hit flood-affected Tasmanian regions later this week, with 10 to 20mm expected on Friday.
That'll put more pressure on already swollen north and north-west river catchments.
"50 millimetres of rain ordinarily would not be a concern but given the soil dryness it's concerning to us just given the fact that it's got to go somewhere and there will be rises within the riverine system," SES Tasmania acting director Leon Smith said.
Meanwhile residents in the town of Latrobe assessed the damage from the floods.
By Judd Boaz
The state of play in the Victoria flood crisis
While for some Victorians the clean-up from floods began today, it remains an anxious wait in other parts of the state.
Waters are still yet to recede in Shepparton, while towns such as Echuca will brace for a possible second wave of flooding in the coming days.
Further rainfall is expected towards the end of the week, with falls of up to 100mm expected in isolated areas.
People in flood-affected areas are reminded to stay alert of their conditions and never drive through flood water.
It comes as the government sprang into action, fixing tens of thousands of potholes created by flooding and promising a $165 million emergency road repair blitz.
Here are the major current warnings from the Victoria State Emergency Service:
Evacuation warning issued for Charlton
Residents are advised flooding will be similar to September 2010, with flooding above floor level of a single-story home likely to occur.
A relief centre has been opened at Wycheproof P-12 College, McKenzie Cr, Wycheproof.
Evacuation warning issued for Echuca and Echuca Village
ADF personnel have worked throughout the day with Echuca residents to construct a 2-km long levee, battling a shortage of sandbags and time.
A relief centre for residents has been set up at Bendigo Showgrounds, Holmes Road, Bendigo.
If assistance is required to travel, residents can go to Echuca South Basketball Stadium, 244 High Street, Echuca South.
Evacuation warning issued for Bunbartha
Anyone nearby is instructed to evacuate due to increased flows in the Goulburn River system.
The SES recommends the safest evacuation route via the Barmah-Shepparton Rd.
You can continue to stay up to date with Victoria's flood developments here.
By Velvet Winter
VICSES issue emergency warning for Loddon River
VICSES is urging those at Appin South and Kerang to move to higher ground. Major flooding is predicted along the Loddon River overnight Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday.
By Judd Boaz
Returning home could still be months away for some Victorians
Even when the initial water and silt is cleared, flood-affected residents in Victoria may not be able to return to their homes for months.
A backlog of insurance claims, a shortage of restoration workers and a lack of building supplies create roadblocks for people trying to move back into their houses.
The Victorian government estimates 300,000 tonnes of waste will be sent to landfills from the floods.
The Insurance Council of Australia is yet to put an estimate on the scale of the damage in Victoria so far, and with more rain predicted, the cost could run into the hundreds of millions.
You can continue reading this story by reporters Kristian Silva, Rachel Clayton and Stephanie Ferrier below.
By Judd Boaz
What do flood survivors really need?
With floods ravaging hundreds of homes across the state so far and hundreds more homes at risk, the urge to help survivors is overwhelming.
Researchers have interviewed hundreds of flood survivors across the country to find out what people really need after losing everything in a flood.
Find out more by checking this story by Mel Taylor and Barbara Ryan.
By Velvet Winter
Residents in Echuca prepare for second flood peak
Echuca locals are preparing for another flood peak from the Murray River, which is expected in the next 48 hours. More than 1000 homes in the area have already been inundated with floodwater.
Bridget Rollason reports from Echuca.
By Joseph Dunstan
Around 300,000 tonnes of waste to go to landfill after Victorian floods
The Victorian government says it'll be scrapping the waste levy for the worst-affected local government areas until the end of the year.
It means all flood waste can be disposed of at landfill free of charge. The levy is usually between $63 and $125.
The government says it expects around 300,000 tonnes of waste will end up in landfill as a result of this month's floods.
By Judd Boaz
Free ice-creams as Maribyrnong continues the clean-up
When Khaled Elbaba and Cindy Smith drive through the flood-hit streets of Maribyrnong, people the clean-up and come outside.
The free ice creams on offer have been a hit, and provided a moment of happiness during a period of heartache.
"We've come to support everyone in the area. We're giving away coffees, hotdogs, everything," Mr Elbaba said.
"It's a good thing to come out, but it has been heartbreaking seeing it all."
Huge piles of rubbish and sodden belongings continue to line the streets near the Maribyrnong River, which flooded the area on Friday morning.
From vinyl records, to mattresses, to lawn mowers, the footpaths are lined with items covered in a thick black sludge.
"Insurance takes you some of the way, but it doesn’t heal your heart and all the memories you’ll lose as part of this," resident Selin Lanzafame said.
Reporting by Kristian Silva and Stephanie Ferrier
By Velvet Winter
Indigenous community near the NSW-Victorian border evacuated
People in Cummeragunja, near Barmah in southern New South Wales, were ordered to evacuate before 12pm today, due to expected major flooding along the Murray River.
The CEO of the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Community, Leon Atkinson, said residents have responded well to evacuation orders, despite being apprehensive to leave their homes.
Mr Atkinson said he did not expect homes to be impacted but the community was evacuated due to "safety precautions".
He said about 60 people have been impacted, with most heading to the evacuation point in Moama.
"They're very confused and thinking it's surreal I guess because we've seen so many floods in our river here," he said.
"Nothing's ever worried us for where we are living and the distance we are away from the river."
Reporting by Romy Stephens
By Judd Boaz
ADF racing against time to construct levee in Echuca
ADF personnel and forest firefighters are building a flood levee hundreds of metres long in Echuca to try to protect the town's centre.
By Joseph Dunstan
Saturated flood zones could be hit with more rain this week
As we've heard, more rain is forecast across Australia's soaked east in the days ahead.
This system's convective, stormy nature means that it will be more hit and miss — but it could present more challenges in flood-hit NSW, Victoria and Tasmania.
You can continue reading this story by our weather reporter Kate Doyle below.
By Velvet Winter
Floodwaters crumble Victorian roads
The extraordinary extent of damage to the state's roads is slowly being revealed as floodwater starts to recede across regional Victoria.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the government would spend $165 million on an "emergency road repair blitz" to find and fix roads that could be accessed safely.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano told ABC Radio Melbourne there was potential for significant losses for farmers in regional and rural areas of the state due to road closes.
"In some cases we've now got animals that are stranded, we're going to have to be working out how to get feed and fodder to them," Ms Germano said.
Continue reading this story by Daniel Miles below.
By Joseph Dunstan
Sandbags rare as 'hen's teeth' in Echuca, Victoria
At a public meeting in Echuca, authorities have asked those who don't need sandbags for their properties to return them.
One person addressing today's community meeting said the levee building blocks had become rare as "hen's teeth".
"If you do not need them and you're on high ground, take only what you need," he said.
By Joseph Dunstan
This is what flood clean-up looks like in Rochester
More photos from Rochester in Victoria's north, where around 85 per cent of the town was hit by flooding.
As we heard earlier, the Victorian government has brought in contractors to help clear rubbish and debris from flood zones.
By Peta Fuller
Flood impact from Echuca this morning
Michael Rowland has been in Echuca for ABC's News Breakfast — if you missed it, here's a bit more from him this morning:
By Judd Boaz
Insurance Council of Australia declares 'Significant Event'
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared a Significant Event for regions of Victoria, New South Wales and Northern Tasmania impacted by flooding.
ICA chief executive Andrew Hall said claims are steadily increasing as residents in flood-stricken areas assess the damage to their homes.
"Claim numbers are steady at the moment but may continue to climb as this event unfolds, and we are actively monitoring the situation," Mr Hall said.
"Insurers have significantly increased their claims team resources as the entire La Niña event has continued across the year."
The ICA recommends the following if your property has been damaged by flooding:
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You can start cleaning up but first take pictures or videos of damage to the property and possessions as evidence for your claim
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Keep samples of materials and fabrics to show your insurance assessor
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Remove water damaged goods from your property that might pose a health risk, such as saturated carpets and soft furnishings
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Make a list of each item damaged and include a detailed description, such as brand, model, and serial number if possible
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Speak to your insurer before you attempt or authorise any building work, including emergency repairs, and ask for the insurer’s permission in writing. Unauthorised work may not be covered by your policy
Residents are encouraged to contact their insurer as soon as possible to commence the claims process, even if the full extent of the damage is still unknown.
Anyone uncertain of their insurance details or circumstances is urged to call the ICA's disaster hotline on 1800 734 621.
By Joseph Dunstan
Community spirit high in Shepparton but fears remain over more rain
With authorities confident that floodwaters have peaked in Shepparton, residents are keen to start the recovery.
Gino Cirillo's local restaurant has been making and delivering meals to the local hospital and volunteer groups in the area.
"We've very short staffed but we've been fortunate to get a skeleton staff to operate for the volunteers," he says.
Mr Cirillo has been supplying pizza and pasta to the local hospital night staff during the COVID pandemic but after the devastating floods he's widening his generosity.
"If there's anyone out there that's going without meals because of their situation [with the floods] we're more than happy to try and help anyway we can."
Mr Cirillo says the community is attempting to remain optimistic. However, with more rain predicted for the end of the week the air in the town is somber.
"That's the disturbing thing, once we get past this we're assured to have more rain. So fingers crossed we can get over that also," Mr Cirillo says.
"I feel sorry for the year 12 students because it's their last few days of school and they can't spend it together."
By Joseph Dunstan
In Victoria's north, Echuca is bracing for its second flood peak
In Echuca, residents are busy preparing the town's defences.
One woman says she's feeling "a little bit overwhelmed" as she works to put up sandbags around her home.
Among the items being lifted to safer ground are her DJ equipment and wedding dress.
"We only got married a few months ago and even if the water gets into the house … I don't want it to get mouldy," she says.
The picturesque riverside town, famous for its paddlesteamers, is preparing for its second flood peak, which could see around 1,000 properties under pressure from Tuesday.
By Judd Boaz
Drone footage shows extent of Shepparton flooding
Hundreds of Shepparton residents are still waiting for flood waters to recede from their homes.
But it could be days before roads are free of water, with more rain anticipated from Thursday onwards.
