Residents in inner-city suburbs of Melbourne have been rescued by boat as some of the worst flooding in decades hits Victoria.
Meanwhile, thousands are also under evacuation orders for flooding in NSW and Tasmania.
Look back on how Friday's developments unfolded in our blog.
Key events
- Victoria to re-open Mickleham quarantine facility to house flood victims
- Residents in Charlton urged to evacuate
- Here is a quick SES breakdown of flooding across Victoria
- A person is missing from a flooded area near Bendigo
- Melbourne flooding has hit around 100 properties
- Residents near the Werribee River in Melbourne told to evacuate
- Seventeen residents evacuated from Launceston suburb
- Boat rescues in Moonee Ponds, Melbourne
Live updates
By Jessica Riga
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 Sydney on 702am or online
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ABC Melbourne on 774am or online
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ABC Hobart on 936am or online
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Search for a different frequency using the ABC Radio Finder
By Jessica Riga
What you need to right now for Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales
Victoria
- Homes in Melbourne's west have been inundated with water, after suburban areas near the Maribyrnong and Werribee rivers were evacuated and emergency services used boats to rescue people trapped by the floods
- The SES say about 100 properties in low-lying areas around the Maribyrnong township, Ascot Vale and Keilor had been flooded
- Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says the state government is offering one-off flood relief payments of $560 per adult and $280 per child for those who had been forced out of their homes
- An evacuation order for Werribee Street and Watton Street, near the banks of the Werribee River has been downgraded
- A relief centre has been opened at the Wyndham Civic Centre
You can continue to stay up to date with developments in Victoria here.
Tasmania
- Parts of Tasmania have been hit by record-breaking rainfall with major warnings issued for rivers across the north and north-west and evacuations across 17 local government areas
- Major flood warnings are current for the Meander, Mersey and North Esk and South Esk rivers
- A moderate flood warning has been issued for the River Ouse and the Macquarie river after it was downgraded, a minor for the Forth, and Watch and Act orders for Liffey River, Lake River, Western Creek, Dampers Creek, Mole Creek, Lobster Rivulet, Leven River and Hadspen
- Evacuation centres have been set up in Deloraine, Latrobe, Railton, Newnham and West Ulverstone
- Although the rain has eased off after a record-breaking 398mm fell across the north overnight, BOM warned it was "not over yet"
You can keep up to date with the latest news out of Tasmania here.
New South Wales
- Hundreds of residents in the New South Wales Central West town of Forbes have decided not to evacuate ahead of a major flood peak on the Lachlan River
- BOM says the river is steady at 10.55 metres, just short of a predicted major level peak of 10.6m
- The evacuation centre has closed after the only two people who registered did not require accommodation or assistance. It will reopen if required
You can continue to stay up to date on developments in NSW here.
By Jessica Riga
Rochester prepares for flooding
The owners of a Rochester pub in northern Victoria say they are staying to defend their business because they have no flood insurance.
Teresa and Craig Mann say it's hard for pubs in Australia to get flood insurance.
They say the Criterion Hotel is their life, and they have to do what they can to save it.
"It's our family-run business and we've got to keep it running so we can get it up and running as quick as possible after the floods," they said.
"We live here, we support our family from here. Everyone that works here is family, so it's not just us that's going to miss out, it's all our family that live here.
"So, no income for all of us."
Authorities are urging people in Rochester to evacuate immediately, with flood levels exceeding the January 2011 event.
Reporting by Emma D’Agostino
By Maddy Morwood
Heavy rains 'unusual' for southern states, experts say, warn of 'different' situation
While the rest of the eastern seaboard has faced the brunt of three consecutive La Niña years, the southern states have faced little flooding until now.
University of the Sunshine Coast lecturer in history Dr Margaret Cook says that Victoria and Tasmania are facing an "unusual"amount of rain.
"Dense cloud bands have crossed the desert, carrying moisture evaporating from seas off north-west Australia. Rain has fallen across almost the entire continent in the last two weeks. Our rain events are usually regional – not national," she says.
She says that Victoria is more familiar with flash floods, because the storm water drains in cities and towns can be overwhelmed by sudden dumps of rain, flooding streets. "The good news is this flooding is usually over quickly, in contrast to the flooded rivers we see up north," she says.
"This situation may be different. "
"With the state’s major dams beyond capacity or very close to it, water is already spilling over. Dams in Australia are often dual-purpose, storing drinking water and allowing us some control over floods. While Brisbane’s dams are designed with gates to permit floodwater release, Victoria’s dams tend to just have dam walls," she says.
By Joseph Dunstan
Residents leave as Murchison flood risk grows
On the outskirts of Murchison, caravans at a park along the riverbank are underwater, and others have been towed to higher ground.
An evacuation warning has been issued for Murchison as the Goulburn River swells — see more details on the Vic Emergency page.
Nearby, Troy Reay's house is now on an island.
The SES rescued him, along with his two dogs, but his car is underwater and the evacuation centre is in Shepparton, a half hour drive away.
Other than his dogs, he escaped with just two small bags.
"The worst thing for me is my stupid insurance company told me they will not insure me because of the floods in Queensland," Mr Reay said.
"Now my house is uninsured because of an insurance agent that won't take my money."
Despite that, Mr Reay's main concern was for his animals.
"So my biggest thing is, I know this is strange, and I know I'm gonna lose my home but I have two horses on my property that are high enough, but I need to get water to them," he said.
"I can't have them drinking this stuff."
Reporting by Nicole Asher
By Jessica Riga
Victorians share stories of hope and despair as floods take an emotional toll
From suburban Melbourne to regional Victoria — floods this week have caught residents off-guard as waters inundated homes and properties.
The state is already facing a housing crisis — for some, this natural disaster will feel like the last straw.
Despite the challenges, the emergency has brought out a fighting community spirit, as neighbours rallied together.
You can continue reading this article using the link below.
By Jessica Riga
Victoria to re-open Mickleham quarantine facility to house flood victims
The Victorian government has made the decision to re-open the Mickleham quarantine facility to house flood victims from early next week.
A government spokesperson says the facility will be able to house 250 people for six-to-eight weeks and actual use will depend on the emergency response and accommodation demand.
By Jessica Riga
That's *a lot* of water at Woolshed Falls, Victoria
ABC reporter Erin Somerville captured this footage of the currently "thunderous" Woolshed Falls near Beechworth in Victoria.
By Jessica Riga
'I can't believe the amount of water I'm seeing'
The ABC spoke to locals in Axedale, Victoria a little earlier.
Mary from Junortoun, near Bendigo travels to Seymour for work at a car dealership but can’t get through due to flooding.
By Joseph Dunstan
Flooding at Ascot Vale in Melbourne
This drone footage was taken of floodwaters around a residential estate at Ascot Vale, in Melbourne's inner-north-west.
By Dan Smith
Meander River flood warning downgraded to moderate
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a downgraded moderate flood warning for the Meander River.
Moderate flooding is currently occurring:
- Flooding is likely in streams and rivers
- Lives could be at risk from flood waters
- Some properties may become isolated or inundated by flood waters
- Evacuation of some properties may be required
- Property, livestock, equipment, and crops may be threatened by floodwaters
- Driving conditions may be dangerous
Flood waters are a risk to safety, never walk, play, ride, or drive in floodwater.
What to do:
If you live in the alert area and/or near the Meander River, SES advises:
- If you have a flood emergency plan, use it now
- Prepare your property (if safe to do so). This may include:
- If conditions worsen and safe to do so, leave and go to the home of a family member or friend who is in a safe location away from the flood-affected area
By Joseph Dunstan
'Everything's just gone', but Rocco the dog survives
Maribyrnong resident Antoinette Bufalino said floodwater was lapping at her street when she got a text telling her to evacuate around 5am this morning.
As she left her two-storey home with a small amount of luggage, she was separated from her 13-year-old dog Rocco.
An SES member promised Ms Bufalino he would get Rocco, who weighs 40 kilograms, out safely.
As the pair were reunited this afternoon, Ms Bufalino cried.
"I'm rapt now that he's here," she said.
"They're family, you just can't leave them behind."
She also revealed she had been told her home and car had been flooded.
Ms Bufalino said she was still processing that "everything's just gone".
By Joseph Dunstan
A dramatic day in Maribyrnong
More photos are emerging from Melbourne's west, after the biggest day of flooding in decades.
By Jessica Riga
Police rescue man near Bendigo who drove into floodwaters
Police have rescued a man after he ignored a roadblock and drove into flood waters in Newbridge, near Bendigo, this morning.
It is believed the man drove a Toyota Landcruiser into flood waters on Lyons Street just before 10:45am.
His vehicle was washed down stream a short distance before colliding with trees.
The man climbed onto a tree branch and was rescued by police about an hour and a half later.
It comes as Victoria Police reveal the details about a rescue of a woman in her 70s trapped in flood waters on the Pyrenees Highway near Newstead yesterday afternoon.
A local police member waded through flood waters and floated a rope to the woman, allowing her to secure herself to a tree until the Swift Water Rescue Team arrived.
Reporting by Rochelle Kirkham
By Dan Smith
Major flood warning for Mersey River downgraded
Some happy news from Tasmania's north! The major flood warning for the Mersey River has been downgraded to moderate.
"Moderate flooding continues at Kimberley and at Latrobe Bridge. Minor flooding has eased at Liena," the BOM said in a statement.
"In 24 hours to 5:00am Friday, widespread rainfall totals of 80-90mm were recorded across the Mersey River catchment, with isolated totals up to 225mm recorded around Lake Mackenzie.
"Since 5:00am, no further significant rainfall has fallen and none is forecast for the remainder of Friday."
By Joseph Dunstan
Update on Maribyrnong flood warning in Melbourne
In an updated evacuation warning, authorities have added these addresses to their evacuation alert for Maribyrnong:
- 5 Chifley Drive Maribyrnong
- 13 & 25 Clyde Street Maribyrnong
- Units 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5,6, 7, 8/ 3 & 4 Clyde Street Maribyrnong
- 1, 5, 10 Navigator Street Maribyrnong
- 2 & Units 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Newstead Street Maribyrnong
- 26 Raleigh Road Maribyrnong
- 1 The Esplanade Maribyrnong
- 25 Van Ness Avenue Maribyrnong
You can find more details at the Vic Emergency website.
By Joseph Dunstan
Painful decisions for those leaving flood-hit homes in Victoria
Benalla resident Donna Craddock and her husband were woken by a knock on their door at 3am by police.
"They said to evacuate," she says.
"They said if we stayed home and didn't there might be a chance they couldn't come back and save us so we packed up everything and came here (relief centre) just in case.
"We could see all the water rising, coming into the street so we packed up everything and just grabbed what we could."
Ms Craddock had to leave behind all the photographs she has of her 11-year-old son who died in a quadbiking accident in 2006.
"I'm hoping it hasn't reached the front door. I'm hoping it hasn't got to the photos," she says.
But like most residents seeking refuge, she won't know the full extent of the damage until it's safe to go back to her property.
Chief Executive Officer at Benalla Rural City, Dom Testoni, says the relief centre will remain open for as long as needed before the clean-up begins.
"Once the water goes down as a community we come together to put it back together," he says.
"When [the water] leaves Benalla it continues to go downstream so what we're going through, some of those communities are yet to have those impacts and we feel for those people."
Reporting by Mikaela Ortolan
By Jessica Riga
Floods in Victoria are uncommon. Here's why they're happening now – and how they compare to the past
Think Victoria and disasters and you'll think bushfires. But floods can hit — just not as often.
Today is one of those days, with much of the state under a flood watch. Premier Dan Andrews says the floods are likely to be the most significant in years. Evacuations are likely.
So why is Victoria flooding now, and how do these floods compare to big ones past?
You can continue reading this article using the link below.
By Joseph Dunstan
Benalla resident 'pretty much numb' as flooding hits
The human cost of the flooding, and the dislocation it involves, is coming into focus in Victoria.
In Benalla, residents are being urged to move from low-lying parts of town as flooding moves in.
Priscilla Rae and her young family had faced homelessness since the pandemic but less than a week ago they were able to secure housing.
They were forced to abandon their house and all their belongings when they were evacuated and found refuge at the emergency relief centre set up in town.
"It's been pretty intense trying to gather up belongings all over again and then finding out we may lose it all again," Ms Rae said.
"[I feel] pretty much numb. I've got no words. I don't know whether to cry, laugh or do anything really. We just have to stick it out for the kids."
Ms Rae and her partner piled their three children, aged 17, 11 and nine, who are all living with a disability, into the car at around 4:30am while putting their belongings as high off the ground as possible.
She said it was a scary experience seeing water levels rise around her.
"Everyone else in the other streets was all under water so it was like our street was the last one left," she said.
Reporting by Mikaela Ortolan
By Joseph Dunstan
Werribee River flooding suburban streets
Extraordinary scenes have played out in Melbourne's west today, as the Maribyrnong and Werribee rivers flooded residential streets and homes.
Jenny Jenkinson lives in Cottrell Street next to the Werribee River and has been told by police to evacuate.
"I've lived here 15 years and this is the worst one [flood]," she says.
Ms Jenkinson says she's "taking it in her stride".
"What will be, will be."
Paul, who also lives on Cottrell Street next to the Werribee River says the rising river is "intriguing".
"It's gradually gone up and up and up," he says.
Sam Sampson lives in Hoppers Crossing and says in the 30 years he's lived there he's never seen the Werribee River so high.
"I haven't seen it this bad ever," he said.
"It's unbelievable really."
You can catch up on Melbourne's flooding situation in our coverage.
Reporting from Rhiana Whitson and staff.
