OCTOBER 25

Community barbecue to say thank you 

AS part of efforts to recognise the great effort of residents, volunteers, emergency service personnel and business, community barbecues will be held throughout the Gannawarra Shire in the coming weeks.

The first of these gatherings will be held at the Sir John Gorton Library, Kerang on Friday, October 28 from 12 noon.

Residents are encouraged to come along to celebrate, support and connect with our community.

Road closure 

BENJEROOP-Tresco Road is now closed between the Murray Valley Highway and Benjeroop-Lake Charm Road due to flooding. 

Access between Kerang and Swan Hill is available via Kerang-Murrabit Road Road, Murrabit West Road, Benjeroop-Lake Charm Road and the Murray Valley Highway.

Loddon breaches at Benjeroop

PEOPLE are being urged to drive with caution after a levee breach on the Loddon River at Benjeroop on Monday afternoon. 

Water has encroached on Benjeroop-Tresco Road, about 300 metres from the Benjeroop-Lake Charm Road. 

Benjeroop resident Lindsay Schultz said there were three breaches on the bank, two of which were able to be fixed.

"There was one from about a kilometre out from the Wells Bridge, that we couldn't fix about 4pm yesterday. 

"We have a team of people walking along the banks assessing. If we can find these breaches before they get too big we can we do something with them with an excavator like we did yesterday.

"At the moment, it's just a day-by-day basis." 

Properties inundated at Cohuna estate 

A NUMBER of properties in the Golf Links Estate are being inundated by water as the sustained rain event puts pressure on Gunbower Creek.

Gannawarra Council is working with ADF personnel, Parks Victoria and CFA to sandbag the properties to try and protect them. Support will be provided to those who need to leave their property.

Pumping is continuing in and around the Cohuna and Kerang townships to relieve the pressure this rain system is bringing.

Evacuation warning remains 

AN evacuation warning remains in place for the Loddon River, from Loddon Weir to Kerang. 

Major flooding is occurring along the Loddon River at Kerang. Moderate flooding is easing at Appin South. River levels at Appin South and Kerang peaked Friday morning and Saturday morning respectively.

• The Loddon River at Downstream (D/S) Loddon Weir is currently at 6.22m and rising, with moderate flooding.
• The Loddon River at Appin South fell below the major flood level (3.30m) Monday afternoon. The river level is currently at 3.23m and easing, with moderate flooding. The Loddon River at Appin South is expected to remain above the moderate flood level (3.10m) during Tuesday.
• The Loddon River at MV Hwy Bridge is currently at 77.84m Australian Height Datum (AHD) and steady, with major flooding. The Loddon River at MV Hwy Bridge is likely to remain around the major flood level (77.80m) during Tuesday.

In the 24 hours to 8am Tuesday, rainfall totals of 5-10mm were recorded in the Loddon River catchment. Further rainfall is forecast during Tuesday. The situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as necessary.

OCTOBER 23: 

Major flood peaks come through 

MAJOR flooding is occurring along the Loddon River at Appin South and Kerang. River levels at Appin South and Kerang peaked Friday morning and Saturday morning respectively.

• The Loddon River at Downstream Loddon Weir is currently at 5.13 metres and rising, with minor flooding.
• The Loddon River at Appin South peaked at 3.47m on Friday morning and is currently at 3.39m and falling slowly, with major flooding. The Loddon River at Appin South is expected to remain above the major flood level (3.30m) during Sunday.
• The Loddon River at MV Hwy Bridge peaked at 77.97 m Australian Height Datum (AHD) on Saturday morning and is currently at 77.84 m AHD and steady, with major flooding (major flood level is 77.80 m AHD). The January 2011 flood measured 78.03m on the Murray Valley Highway river gauge.
• The Loddon River at MV Hwy Bridge is likely to remain around the major flood level (77.80 m) during Sunday.
• Dangerous flood water is still significantly impacting Kerang and surrounding areas, continue to avoid flood-affected areas.
• Emergency services and Gannawarra Shire Council are working together to assess levee integrity, road safety and identify any impacts to essential services.
• Although the river has peaked, with some levees still overtopped in sections, many areas are still experiencing significant flooding and emergency services continue efforts towards sandbagging and asset protection.

Impacts in your area: 

• The Loddon Valley Highway is closed south of Kerang.
• The Murray Valley Highway is closed north of Kerang.
• Some areas are likely to lose services including power, water, sewerage and telephone due to flooding.
• Be aware that snakes may look for shelter and food inside houses, storage sheds and other buildings near floodwater. Damaged structures and debris are more accessible to snakes.

Did you know?

Prior to 2011, the worst flood occurred in 1909. In 2011, the flood reached the highest levels ever recorded causing significant damage to the surrounding rural areas.

Water inundated:  13 houses and 1 shop in East Kerang, and 28 houses and 4 businesses in West Kerang.

 Rural properties surrounding the town isolating them for days.

 Main transport routes and other roads, disrupting traffic.

 Community facilities and other private properties.

During the 2011 flood, widespread power outages for Victorian communities were avoided by emergency sandbagging at the electricity substation, south of the Kerang Township.

If you live or work close to a creek, river or low-lying area you may be at risk from floods. Even if you are not directly affected, you may still have to detour around flooded areas.

During the September 2016 flood, which was similar to the December 2010 flood, due to the flood level peaking at 77.40m at the Murray Valley Highway gauge, properties started to become isolated to the north and south of Kerang.

Anxious times downstream of Kerang 

MUCH of the lower Loddon area is waiting with bated breath damage the major peak could inflict on Benjerrop and Murrabit West properties. 

Murrabit West resident Peter Heffer said he had been working "flat out" to get his levee bank "nice and high" around his Murrabit West Rosd facing house. 

"I've put the banks up nice and high and sandbagged ... trying to be organised."

Mr Heffer, who has lived in the same location for 12 years, said his property "just missed out on being flooded", helped by being on the Murray River side of the road. 

"I got myself early onto it in preparing the levee and most around here have been as well," he said.

"What happens will all depend if banks blow out or not, hopefully they won't but I'm just preparing for the worst." 

"There is some water at Benjeroop that has back up so if that blows we need to be as ready as can be," he said.

Mr Heffer admitted some anxious feelings, but his young fellow was "excited" by the experience. 

"It's just a waiting game."

He said he had gone through multiple cans of mosquito repellant in the past week. 

Meanwhile, Toni-Lee Kelly, who lives in Murrabit West, was relieved on Sunday morning after learning her borther's house in Kerang, opposite the power station, had been spared from inundation.

"His bank held out," she told the Gannawarra Times. 

Her house, off Murrabit West Road, went under in the 2011 floods, but there since a levee bank built around it.

"The Loddon doesn’t concern me as much as the rise we are expecting from the Murray," she said.

"The water has nowhere to flow like it did in 2011.

"I’m using the levels in Kerang as a reference as to when we should expect the water downstream.

"I’ve also been messaging our neighbours who live directly on the Loddon River behind the property we are on.

"The Kerang floods Facebook page has been absolutely amazing in keeping people up-to-date as to where the water is at and what it’s doing"

Ms Kelly said it was "literally just a waiting game now". 

"If it’s looking like getting too high, we will evacuate as we have six kids.

"I witnessed the 2011 floods and how hard and fast the water came in around this area (wasn’t living here at the time but my in-laws were)."

Rivercraft banned on Murray 

NSW SES has reminded people that the Murray River is closed to rivercraft downstream of Tocumwal Bridge to Barham Bridge, after an emergency area was declared on October 18 due to the current flooding along the river.

Under section 22 of the SES Act, people are directed as follows:

• Leave the emergency area

• Do not enter the emergency area

NSW SES southern zone incident controller Superintendent Benjamin Pickup said the emergency area applies to all commercial and recreational users of the rivers.

“As part of the declaration no boats can enter the emergency area and people cannot enter the area for any recreational purpose such as fishing or swimming,” he said.

“The declaration of the emergency area applies to all residents on both sides of the border. Neither NSW or Victorian users are permitted on the river at this time.

“This emergency area has been put in place to ensure the safety of our community during the flooding period. There is a significant amount of water moving along the river and the safest option at the moment is to avoid the area.

“It is disappointing to see people continuing to use the river for recreation activities when it is at such high levels and nearing its peak.

“NSW Maritime and NSW Police will patrol the area while it is subject to the declared emergency area.”

Emergency Services, Transport for NSW and council personnel are permitted to access the declared emergency area for emergency operational activity related to the flooding event and enforcement activities.

Homes inundated by floodwater

A NUMBER of homes along the Murray Valley Highway, north of Kerang, have been inundated with floodwater above the floor. 

The breach on the western bank of the Loddon River on Saturday caused summer and crops and homes in low-lying areas without ring levees to become impacted. 

Kerang-Cohuna road cut off 

THE Murray Valley Highway is closed between the Loddon Valley Highway, Kerang and Cohuna due to flooding from the Nine Mile Creek. 

Motorists travelling between Cohuna and Kerang can still access Kerang via Cohuna-Koondrook and Kerang-Koondrook roads.

Access in and out of Kerang is available via Kerang-Koondrook Road to Koondrook/Barham and Kerang-Murrabit Road to Murrabit and Swan Hill.

Loddon peaks but major level for days 

THE  Loddon River has peaked at Kerang but is expected to remain at major levels for days. 

SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said the Loddon River peaked at Kerang at 77.97 metres above sea level, slightly below the 78m which was forecast.

"The indications are that we could see flood levels in that 77.7 to 77.8 region for quite a number of days," he said.

"Kerang will continue to be isolated for that period of time."

The levee to the western side of Kerang was breached on Saturday, while levees on the eastern side of the town are expected to hold.

"We still have a local road in there, but we are advising the general public that Kerang is generally not accessible," Mr Wiebusch said.

OCTOBER 22:

Rain and thunderstorms across the country 

Rain, showers and thunderstorms are forecast across much of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania today and the coming days as a series of troughs make their way across south-eastern Australia. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are in place for parts New South Wales and Tasmania, and further thunderstorm warnings may be issued over Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.

Many catchments remain under flood warnings, and upcoming rain will likely cause renewed or prolonged flooding. Flood watches are current for Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and further flood watches and warnings will be issued in the coming days as rivers respond to rainfall and flooding develops.

Major flooding that affected much of northern Victoria earlier this week is largely easing in catchments outside of the Murray River, although forecast rainfall may cause some minor to moderate flooding to redevelop. Within the Murray, floodwaters are moving slowly and are expected to take weeks to travel through the system.

Major flood warning for Murray downstream 

A MAJOR flood warning is being issued for Murray River downstream of Tocumwal to Barham. 

Major flooding is occurring at Echuca, Moama, Torrumbarry, Barham.

The Murray River at Echuca is currently at 94.80 metres with major flooding. This level is similar to the October 1993 flood event (94.77 m AHD). The river level may possibly reach around 95m on Sunday night into Monday.

The Murray River at Torrumbarry Weir may reach around 7.85m around October 24-25, with major flooding. This is higher than the January 1974 flood.

The Murray River at Barham may reach 6.2m around October 24-25, with major flooding. This is higher than the October 1993 and 2016 floods. 

Avoca tipped to avoid major levels 

MODERATE flooding is slowly easing along the Avoca River downstream of Charlton Town at Quambatook, where the river level peaked Friday afternoon below the major flood level.

• The Avoca River at Quambatook peaked at 2.36 metres Friday afternoon, with moderate flooding and is currently at 2.31m and falling slowly.
• The Avoca River at Quambatook is expected to remain above the moderate flood level (2.2m) for the remainder of Saturday and into Sunday.

Further rainfall is forecast from Sunday into early next week. The situation is being closely monitored, and warnings will be updated as necessary.

Emergency warning  

CURRENT advice from the Bureau of Meteorology is that the Loddon River at Murray Valley Highway Bridge is not expected to peak until tomorrow (Sunday). Now that the peak has been delayed, people in Kerang are able to evacuate to Swan Hill via one of two routes, depending on their location.

The levee west of the Loddon River and south of the Murray Valley Highway has been overtopped and has now breached in some areas. People in this area should evacuate immediately via the updated route below.

The levee east of the Loddon River is experiencing significant seepage but has not been overtopped and is unlikely to breach. People in this area should evacuate immediately or risk being isolated for at least 24-36 hours once the Loddon River peaks.

• The Loddon River at MV Hwy Bridge was at 77.97 mAHD at 11am Saturday morning and rising slowly, with major flooding (major flood level is 77.8 mAHD).
• The Loddon River at MV Hwy Bridge is likely to reach around 78 metres Saturday evening. Further rises are possible to around the January 2011 flood peak of 78.03 mAHD during Sunday.

You should travel to a safe location:

• The relief centre that has been opened in Swan Hill at the Swan Hill Basketball Stadium at 15 Gray Street.
• Family or friends' homes located in a safe location, away from flooding.

If you are located west of the Loddon River, south of the Murray Valley Hwy and east of Boort-Kerang Rd the safest evacuation route to Swan Hill is via:

• the Kerang-Quambatook Road to Quambatook
• turn right onto the Quambatook-Swan Hill Road
• turn right onto the Donald-Swan Hill Road
• turn left onto the Murray Valley Highway.

If you are located east of the Loddon River the safest evacuation route to Swan Hill is via:

• the Kerang-Murrabit Road
• turn left before Murrabit onto Murrabit W Road
• turn left onto the Benjeroop-Lake Charm Road
• turn right at Lake Charm onto the Murray Valley Highway.

OCTOBER 21:

Precautionary measures on water assets 

COLIBAN Water has undertaken precautionary measures to protect underground assets in Cohuna. 

At the Cohuna Water Treatment Plant, the rural water supplier is building a levee around the outside, and sandbagging some of the electrical equipment inside the levee.

"It is a critical community asset, and much of the infrastructure is underground. The equipment, including electrical equipment, can be impacted by water," the organisation said in a statement. 

"This is a precautionary measure only to ensure the safety of these underground assets.

"The protection of community water assets is critical to the public health of communities and the protection of the environment.

"Our team continues to work with the state emergency management structures to ensure the provision of safe water and wastewater services."

Slow and steady 

GANNAWARRA council acting chief executive Geoff Rollinson said the Avoca system was looking like a similar event to September 2010, below the major peak at Quambatook.

"It has slowed down in the floodplain and the grass is holding it up," he told the Gannawarra Times on Friday. 

"In Kerang, the peak is slower than expected and will hit major hear tomorrow and Sunday. It has flattered in Appin but there is a lot of water in the landscape coming our way. 

"It will be a similar event to 2011 but for a prolonged event." 

The flood risk in Cohuna has been downgraded from what was expected.

"We are still keeping a watch on that area, especially around the lower parts of the northern side of the Gunbower Creek."

In Koondrook, on the Murray system, that is an "of concern".

"We have staff there that have been working with response agencies to strengthen the township protection levee," Mr Rollinson said. 

"We are keeping watch on the Lower Loddon area, in relation to Murrabit and Benjeoop and supporting the community and response agencies to temporarily sandbag and checking in with them." 

Slow water moves through Benjeroop 

THE floodwater is rising every so slowly in the northern floodplains of Kerang, rising between 5-10cm each day. 

Resident and flood warden Lindsay Schultz said the district just had to "sit and wait" until the major peak arrived in Kerang. 

"We are also looking at what is coming down the Pyramid Creek and what comes down the Murray," he said.

"There will be a serious problem there, with what's coming from Torrumbarry and Echuca.

"We have been under before, but we have banks around the house and probably sitting better than anyone.

"We are prepared but a lot of others aren't.

"I'm expecting to be landlocked for four to five months, like in 2011. Unlike towns like Rochester which is cut for 24 hours. We cop it for months.

"The water from the rivers can't get away until the Murray drops ... it's like an intersection."

The majority of homes in and around Benjeroop and Murrabit are covered by ring levees, however the integrity of them is unknown.

"As I explained to people out here on Sunday, if you don't have ring levees, your house will go under," Mr Schultz said. 

He said the removal of irrigation channels and erosion on banks would mean the 2022 flood was a "different ball game". 

"Some channels were upgraded and removed, and because some of them act as levee banks, channels that aren't there, water goes in a different direction," he said.

"It's a whole different situation, but people need to stay cool and not panic. 

"It's a bigger job keeping people not spinning out."

Mr Schultz said the prized community hall had a levee built around it. 

"We have topped across the bit that was missing.

"The floodwater isn't here yet, but I have a s***load of cattle to be put on different spots." 

Community effort in Koondrook 

THE levee bank in Koondrook is being raised 175mm above the peak of the 1975 flood as part of the town's defence as the Murray keeps rising. 

Koondrook Fire Brigade captain Ben Watts has been put in charge of that work along with the rest of his brigade and a swag of more volunteers.

Ben will also be responsible for taking any critical issues that need to be dealt with in double time to the Emergency Management Team in Bendigo for resolution.

Down at the Guttrum Forest, Skeeta Verhey and another team have been busy doing repairs to compromised levee banks, and pushing up some new ones to mitigate the impact of floodwaters.

"Skeeta told my office some of them aren’t the prettiest things in the world, but they will do the job," Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said. 

"He says they also had to go a little higher than planned because the soil was already pretty wet, but it will settle.

"Like all our volunteers, the length of the river (and on both sides), Skeeta, Ben and their combined army of helpers are a gilt-edged example of finding solutions – and what we might want our own children, and grandchildren, to be.

"We also got a quick look around levees around Torrumbarry, Victoria, Australia, escorted by local identity Snow Williams to see how existing levees have been reinforced and inspected some new levee work being done in critical areas."

The Koondrook brigade took to social media on Friday to upgrade the border town on floodwater preparations. 

"The shire have been out with us today after a leak was reported last night and have surveyed the levee banks of the Murray and have now requested that we lay some sandbags to protect the town," they said. 

"Before we could bat an eyelid and get a post up, we had SES, Surf Lifesaving, Rapid Relief Team (mechanical sandbagger and catering), council and plenty of contractors in town and together with some locals chipping in along the way as they saw the action filling and shifting sandbags all over town. They even flew in a geotechnical engineer.

"Council have built more levees around the View Street and Punt Road area, and we bagged a few low spots as identified by surveyors and council planners.

"There’s a little more bagging to do tomorrow and a few more surveys to do which will identify the last remaining low points."

Once completed this should see a wall at the expected river height plus at least 100mm and in some spots over 300mm buffer.

"Whilst you may not see a levy or sandbag in some spots, that means there is some sort of existing levy already there (roadway or natural land height)," the post read. 

"Tomorrow will be a bit more planned after the survey is completed. And we will then let everyone know what the execution plan is. If a lot is identified we may make a community day of it over the weekend if possible, if it’s identified as more urgent we’ll put the call out for help tomorrow and go from there."

Avoca rising at Quambatook 

The Avoca River at Quambatook is currently at 2.35 metres and rising slowly, with moderate flooding.

The Avoca River at Quambatook may reach the major flood level (2.4m) Friday evening.

The community has been urged not to panic, with flood warden Leo Parker reporting that the peak should hit Quambatook South but will "barely" make 2.4m (major flood level).

"It will then take a couple of days to reach Quambatook. That takes us to Monday when we should see the peak and that should stay for two to three days before we see it all start to drop," he said. 

"It may barely reach major flood level. So no need to panic, sandbag to scare those who are unsure of how it all works."

Mr Parker recommended against small Sedans take on the floodway on the Boort road, but it should start to drop slowly from tomorrow. 

Road closures 

Evacuation warning remains 

AN evacuation warning remains in place for the Kerang township, but it's now too late to leave. 

The flood is expected to impact the surrounding areas of Kerang and peak today. 

The Loddon River at the Patchell Bridges, Kerang may reach the major flood level of 79 metres AHD and around 78m AHD later in the day. Further rises are possible above the 2011 peak of 78.03m AHD.

The Murray Valley Highway is closed between Kerang and Tresco, however there is an alternative route to Swan Hill via Kerang-Murrabit Road and then Murrabit West Road.

The Avoca River at Quambatook is 2.3m and rising slowly. The river may reach around 2.5m tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, Gannawarra Council staff spent Thursday working alongside the Koondrook community to improve current levee banks throughout the town. This work followed on from the recent completion of surveying efforts to determine land levels.

As a result, levees have been constructed along Punt Road, with low spots identified by engineers providing greater protection.

These efforts coincided with sandbagging work undertaken by the Koondrook Fire Brigade and community groups.

Works are continuing today throughout the town, with the end result the creation of a levee network that will provide greater protection to the town and properties.

The Murray River at Barham may reach 6.2m around October 24-29, with major flooding. This is higher than the October 1993 and 2016 floods. Further rises are possible.

A community emergency relief hub is now operating from the Sir John Gorton Library, Kerang between 10am-2pm daily.

Features of the hub include information regarding services available, computer access, access to the Gannawarra Library Service catalogue (limited borrowing options available) and chat to fellow residents and council staff.

The Emergency Relief Centre at the Kerang Memorial Hall is now closed. 

OCTOBER 19

2PM:

EVACUATE NOW for FLOODING at Kerang. EVACUATE NOW to high ground NOW. You should evacuate your property now via the Murray Valley Highway before it closes at Patchell Bridge at 7pm. Relief centres are opened at Swan Hill Basketball Stadium and Bendigo Showgrounds. Follow SES advice. Listen to radio. More info www.emergency.vic.gov.au

2PM: 

THE Quambatook community remains calm as the major flood level reaches the small tight-knit community, south-west of Kerang. 

The Avoca was expected to peak at 2.5 metres, well below the 2011 height of over 3m. 

1.30PM:

WE have spoken to Greg and Cat Whinfield at Appin South who moved their sheep to higher ground in the middle of the night, some on a boat through Yando. The incredible story of resilience soon. 

12.30PM: 

A CHAIN was formed this morning to carry sandbags to protect any devastation in Dingwall and Wandella, west of Kerang. 

Dozens of people have sandbagged a bank between the Macorna main channel and the Loddon River as the flood water spills close to the channel. 

11AM: 

AN emergency area declaration has been made for the Murray River. 

"As a result of the dangerously high level of the Murray River and flood warnings remaining for the many tributaries that drain into the Murray River, the NSW State Emergency Service advises that the following areas of the Murray River are an emergency area under the State Emergency Services Act 1989 (NSW) (SES Act)," NSW SES said in a statement. 

These areas downstream of Tocumwal Road Bridge to Barham Bridge.

Under section 22 of the SES Act people are directed as follows:

- Leave the emergency area

- Do not enter the emergency area

This applies to all commercial and recreational users of the rivers. No boats can enter the emergency area and people cannot enter the area for any recreational purpose such as fishing or swimming.

Emergency Services, Transport for NSW and council personnel are permitted to access the emergency area for emergency operations and enforcement.

This takes immediate effect and remains in place until the area is no longer deemed to be an emergency area.

10AM: 

MAJOR flooding is happening at the Loddon River at Appin South, where it's currently 3.36 metres and rising. 

The Loddon River at Appin South is likely to remain above the major flood level (3.3m) during Wednesday. The river level may reach around 3.5 metres Wednesday morning. Further rises are possible above the January 2011 flood peak of 3.57 metres. 

The Loddon River at MV Hwy Bridge (Kerang) is currently at 77.26 m Australian Height Datum (AHD) and rising slowly, above the minor flood level (77.00 m AHD).

The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (77.50m) Wednesday morning and may reach the major flood level (77.80m) overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

River levels may reach around 78.00 m AHD during Thursday. Further rises are possible above the January 2011 flood peak of 78.03 m AHD.

Gannawarra Times photographer Tracy Roberts joined pilot Warren Manuel to capture the situation on the Loddon River on Tuesday.

OCTOBER 18 

6PM:

GOULBURN-Murray Water is increasing the flows from Kow Swamp to Box Creek for "flood mitigation". 

"This will see the maximum flow into Box Creek by Wednesday afternoon, and may result in water breaking out of banks at Box Creek and Pyramid Creek," the rural water supplier said. 

Any questions, call GMW on 1800 013 357. 

5.45PM: 

COHUNA and Koondrook residents are urged to attend respective town meetings on Wednesday to hear about flood preparedness ahead of the Murray River peak. 

It will be held at the Koondrook Recreation Reserve, Penglase Street, at 3pm. 

A meeting will be held at the Cohuna Memorial Hall, King Edward Street, at 1.30pm. 

Representatives of the emergency response agencies will be present to give an update on the local situation, and with particular focus on the Murray River and contributories. 

5.30PM: 

SWAN Hill District Health has activated a Standby for Code Brown (External Disaster) emergency response plan due to the current and potential impact of the floods and impending road closures on transportation of patients, supplies and the workforce.

Whist Swan Hill District Health is not currently experiencing a full Code Brown external disaster, enacting this plan enables the development of a contingency plan relating to the possible impacts on its service delivery including access to care.

The plan recognises that a number of people who access Swan Hill District Health for care, who currently reside in flood and road-affected areas, as do a number of employees.

The plan also considers potential supply chain disruption and increased demands for access to medical care from those displaced and/or relocated to Swan Hill from their homes during the flood events.

Chief executive Peter Abraham said: "Swan Hill District Health’s early planning for the COVID pandemic emergency response plan was pivotal in ensuring that we kept both our essential workforce and our community safe throughout. We are adopting the same philosophy and thorough process in preparing for this potential event."

4.30PM: 

THE Bureau of Meteorology's Michael Efron says more rain is on its way to Victoria, starting in the north with thunderstorms and heavy rain throughout Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Thursday activity extends further south, localised heavy falls of up to 50mm, could cause flash flooding and river rises. 

Friday it extends across the state – 5-15mm – with the north-east to see up to 50mm. Further showers and storms across the eastern parts of the state on Saturday. 

2.40PM: 

THE Patchell twin bridges in Kerang will officially close at 7pm on Wednesday, October 19. 

This is due to the Loddon River flood.

Major flooding is likely along the Loddon River at Appin South from overnight Tuesday into Wednesday and at Kerang from overnight Wednesday into Thursday as upstream flow arrives. River levels are likely to peak close to the January 2011 flood event.

When the bridges close, access to Kerang and Swan Hill will be available via Kerang-Murrabit Road Road, Murrabit West Road, Benjeroop-Lake Charm Road, Benjeroop-Tresco Road and the Murray Valley Highway.

Road access to Cohuna, Koondrook and Murrabit is still open.

1.30PM: 

LOCAL police say they are pleased with the community's response to the flood emergency. 

Inspector Gerard de Vries said the community had been positive and making their own plans.

"We have an additional 25 police based in the Kerang township over the next two weeks performing welfare checks and checking on people who might remain in their homes," he said.

"Police will be there for anyone who has questions, and working closely with Gannawarra Shire, SES and CFA to support people in what they choose to do."

Insp de Vries urged the vulnerable to "certainly seek advice" and make a plan in regard to "individual circumstances".

He said people attempting to drive through floodwater had resulted in a number of rescues.

"The important advice is not to attempt to drive through floodwater.

"What you may have driven down in the morning may no longer be accessible by the afternoon."

He said the community spirit displayed had been inspiring.

"The support from across the local government area, particularly Gannawarra SHire has been just outstanding. 

"We just need to be patient and see hat evolves out of the floodwater to arrive. To see what changes and be flexible and move as necessary." 

10.30AM 

The levee bank at the Kerang caravan park has been built upon as the lower section fronting the Loddon River was completely submerged on Wednesday morning. 

Koondrook locals are also preparing levees and sandbagging homes fronting the Murray River and Gunbower Creek ahead of the peak to arrive. 

As the flood emergency continues, Victorians are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel with hundreds of roads damaged or closed due to flooding.

Areas of current concern are the regions around Echuca, Kerang, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Orrvale, Murchison, Kialla West, Seymour, Charlton and Rochester, however all areas of the state have been impacted by the weather.

All current road closures are listed at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

The community is urged to familiarise themselves with road closures in their area before travelling to determine if it is possible to reach their destination.

The road network has suffered significant damage with large potholes and sections of road destroyed. Crews right across Victoria have mobilised and have already repaired 20,000 potholes, however many remain.

"We are continuing to prioritise repairs where damage is a safety issue. Our structures engineers are also out inspecting bridges and structures across the network, while crews are continuing twice daily inspections of the network and delivering emergency repairs where they’re needed most," the Department of Transport said on Tuesday. 

"Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution with an expectation the road surface will be damaged. Leaving extra distance between vehicles will help drivers get a better view of the road ahead.

"Drivers are reminded of the dangers of driving through road closures and into floodwater. Not all road closures are manned. It is critical the community obey the signage in place. Barriers blocking access to roads should not be moved as road closures are in place for safety reasons."

Major roads currently closed include:

• Many roads in and out of Seymour, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Bridgewater, Rochester, Wedderburn, Charlton, St Arnaud, Echuca and Katamatite.
• Calder Highway the Avoca River in Charlton
• Loddon Valley Highway from Sailors Gully to Durham Ox
• Midland Highway between Mooroopna and Shepparton
• Northern Highway between Elmore and Echuca
• Benalla-Tocumwall Road between Devenish and Katamatite
• Dookie-Violet Town Road between Violet Town and Nalinga
• Bendigo-Pyramid Road between Raywood and Mitiamo

9.30AM: 

FOR people seeking transport to the Swan Hill basketball stadium emergency relief centre, a free shuttle bus service is available. 

The service will leave the Kerang Memorial Hall at 10am and 12 noon today and tomorrow. The service can also collect people from their homes if arrangements are made. 

Bookings are essential. Visit the relief centre at the Kerang Memorial Hall or call council on 5450 9333. 

Gannawarra Council said Kerang township residents were urged to consider their options. 

"If you choose to stay, you will need to be self-sufficient for the period of isolation," council said.

"If you choose to evacuate, please stay with family and friends. 

"If this is not an option, an emergency relief centre that caters for accommodation has been set up at the Swan Hill basketball stadium."  

OCTOBER 17

7PM: 

DIRT has arrived at the Patchell Bridge (Murray Valley Highway) for when the bridge is closed.

The bridge remains open to traffic. 

Terry White Chemmart Kerang will be open tomorrow from 8.30am as per usual.

"Please ensure you have enough medication to last AT LEAST the next 2 weeks so you can be self-sufficient during this time, we cannot guarantee we will be open while the town is isolated," the pharmacy posted on social media Monday night. 

"For those waiting on stock to arrive, we hope to receive a large order tomorrow morning.

"We would like to thank all of our customers for their patience today, we know we couldn’t get to all your phone calls and there was a long wait on scripts, our staff did they best they could and we appreciate everyone's support."

5.30PM:

THE relief centre in Swan Hill has received bedding and supplies, with a helicopter arriving into Swan Hill just after 5pm. 

The Salvation Army arrived early afternoon to provide hot and cold meals to anyone who has chosen to evacuate to Swan Hill from Kerang. 

Meanwhile, a moderate flood warning was issued at 4.49pm for Gunbower, Leitchville, Patho and Torrumbarry.

VicEmergency said current modelling suggests the Torrumbarry levy may overtop.

Work is being undertaken to reinforce the levy. It is unclear how successful this will be at this stage.

Break out flows from the Murray River at Torrumbarry may potentially effect Gunbower and Leitchville.

9.30AM:

GOOD morning, welcome to today's rolling coverage of the flood emergency. We are waiting for the first update from Vic Emergency. 

If you have important information you want to share with the Kerang and district community, you can get in touch with senior journalist Peter Bannan at [email protected] or 5032 2161. 

OCTOBER 16

11PM: 

Woolworths has announced new trading hours – 10am-5pm daily – as it battles a shortage before the next delivery arrives. 

Schools in Kerang, including Kerang Tech and Kerang Christian College, have announced learning from home arrangements for students. Kerang Primary will be open with limited staff onsite. 

Terry White Chemmart Kerang is urging people to be patient in the coming days, with short-staffing and limited stock. 

"We have limited stock as we are still waiting for our recent orders to arrive and we are currently unsure of an arrival time for this, our priority will be ensuring a minimum of two weeks supply for all patients. We will not to able to supply anyone with multiple months of medication as we will simply run out of stock," the pharcacy wrote on Facebook.  

The Stadium basketball centre in Swan Hill has been declared an evacuation point for the region if required. 

Council acting chief executive Geoff Rollinson told a town meeting in Kerang on Sunday that standing atop levee banks in Kerang with water lapping onto them risked jeapording the integrity of them. 

Residents who are evacuating are urged to turn off all appliances, electricity, gas and let your neighbours know what you are doing. 

7.20PM:

Council has set up a useful website for flood information, including flood plans for the shire and videos of Sunday's town meetings in Kerang and Quambatook. 

7PM: 

AN Emergency Relief Centre will be opening at the Kerang Memorial Hall from 6pm-10pm tonight and from 8am tomorrow.

Council staff will be available to provide information regarding emergency payments and other assistance available at this time.

If you are evacuating at this time, it is encouraged to stay with family and friends. If this is not an option, please call by the Emergency Relief Centre and speak to council staff regarding options available.

All train and coach services between Bendigo and Swan Hill/Echuca remain suspended until further notice.

The community is urged to familiarise themselves with road closures in their area before travelling to determine if it is possible to reach their destination.

The road network has suffered significant damage with large potholes, and sections of road broken or covered in debris. Department of Transport is prioritising repairs where damage is a safety issue. Repairs will take some time to complete. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution with an expectation the road surface will be damaged. Leaving extra distance between vehicles will help drivers get a better view of the road ahead.

The Department of Transport has had concerning reports about people driving around road closed signs and becoming trapped in floodwater. Not all road closures are manned. It is critical the community obey the signage in place. Barriers blocking access to roads should not be moved as road closures are in place for safety reasons.

6PM:

KERANG could be isolated for two weeks as major floods arrive in Kerang, residents were warned at a town meeting on Sunday. 

The meeting heard that a full Murray River meant the water would remain in the district for a longer duration compared to similar floods in 2011. 

It's unclear when the Patchell Bridge on the Murray Valley Highway would close, but residents were encouraged to take advantage now and evacuate north towards Swan Hill. 

The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (77.50m AHD) Monday afternoon and is likely to exceed the major flood level (77.80m) overnight Monday into Tuesday.

River levels may reach around 78.0m AHD overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, similar to the levels reached in the January 2011 flood event.

Woolworths will remain open so long as staff were available. A large delivery was en route from Adelaide to stock empty shelves. 

The meeting was also reassured that health and safety would be a key priority, with close to 30 police to be stationed in Kerang that will remain open 24/7. 

5.30PM:

RESIDENTS downstream of the Loddon Weir at Serpentine to Kerang are being warned to move to high ground with major flooding likely within the next 48 hours.

"Major flooding is occurring along the Loddon River – Loddon Weir to Kerang. The Loddon River at Loddon Weir is currently at 7.26 metres, with major flooding," a VicEmergency message read on Sunday morning.

"The Loddon River at Appin South is currently at 3.27m and rising, with moderate flooding.

"The Loddon River at Appin South is likely to exceed the major flood level (3.30m) Sunday evening. The river level may reach around 3.50 metres during Monday, close to the January 2011 flood peak of 3.57 metres."

Meanwhile, the Loddon River at Patchell Bridge on the Murray Valley Highway in Kerang is at 76.84m (AHD) and rising slowly, below the minor flood level (77m AHD).

It's likely to exceed the minor flood level (77m) Sunday evening. The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (77.5m) Monday afternoon and is likely to exceed the major flood level (77.8m) overnight Monday into Tuesday. River levels may reach around 78m.

"Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous," the emergency warning message read.

An army of volunteers were at the Kerang SES unit across the weekend preparing sandbags, with local football clubs joining emergency services in the impressive efforts.

Low-lying rural properties and farmlands are expected to be inundated as the floodwater moves downstream, however the township is expected to be spared by the town levee, while the power station also has a permanent levee for protection.

SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said people in flood-affected zones needed to be prepared to leave as soon as they received official alerts.

"We can’t emphasise enough that when we issue an evacuation warning, that is ­serious," he said.

Mr Wiebusch said one of the biggest challenges emergency services were facing was the fact it was “blue sky flooding”.

“The rain may have stopped and we might be seeing the odd shower but it’s more obvious (the risk) to people when there’s heavier rain,” he said.

“So we are advising people, please listen to the warnings.”

Mr Wiesbusch said there had been more than 450 rescues in Victoria since the flood event began.

Bri MacPherson from the Bureau of Meteorology said a high-pressure system lingering over the southeast of the country was keeping most of Victoria “fairly dry”.

“We had a weak cold front go through the Melbourne area overnight that has dropped a bit of rainfall,” she said.

“Just a few millimetres so nothing to worry the rivers with.”

The flood-affected areas in Victoria’s north were spared that extra rainfall and will continue to be spared over the coming days.

“It’s looking like a fairly nice Monday and Tuesday for most of the state.”

But a rain system will sweep across on Wednesday, raising fears the flood crisis could last weeks.

“There’s not a lot of confidence in where exactly the heavier falls might be because our computer models are still settling on an answer but we’re watching it closely,” Ms MacPherson said.

“But it does look like we’ll see showers and possible storms developing in the northwest of the state from Wednesday.”

Watch and Act in Quambatook

A MAJOR flood warning has been issued for the Avoca River at Quambatook, but it's not predicted to be as severe as January 2011.

A Watch and Act is in place for areas downstream of Charlton.

The Avoca River at Quambatook is currently at 1.93 metres and slowly falling, below the minor flood level. Renewed rises are expected early next week.

A town meeting on Sunday heard that the Avoca River in Quambatook was predicted to hit flood levels seen in September 2010, less severe than January 2011.

The township is protected from inundation thanks to a levee built following the devastating 2011 floods, however some inundation is likely on the east side, including the caravan park and recreation reserve.

Quambatook residents were urged to travel to Swan Hill if required, not Kerang.