Storms and flooding have caused widespread disruption in the Australian states of Victoria and South Australia. Homes have been evacuated and dozens of roads closed, including a stretch of the Great Ocean Road.
Victoria
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said that the last few days have been the wettest 3 day stretch in September for over 100 years in some areas of Victoria. Some areas have already seen more rain than they would normally record for the whole of September.
Wettest 3 day stretch in September: Ballarat since 1921, Beaufort 1911, Wedderburn 1916 https://t.co/sNbgycT3Zm pic.twitter.com/RtnvXBNrmW
— BOM Victoria (@BOM_Vic) September 14, 2016
Well above average September rainfall already over W Vic, half the month still to come! https://t.co/NCGSPC958d pic.twitter.com/LmSHli4SS1
— BOM Victoria (@BOM_Vic) September 14, 2016
More heavy rain has fallen over the last 24 hours (13 to 14 September):
- Mount William – 79 mm
- Clunes – 67 mm
- Daylesford – 66 mm
- Mt Cowley – 65 mm
- Ballarat Airport – 54 mm
- Benwerrin – 53 mm
- Castlemaine – 53 mm
Earlier today the State Emergency Service (SES) issued major flood warnings for river catchments of Goulburn, Hopkins, Avoca, Loddon and Wimmera-Avon.
SES have carried out 11 flood rescues. Residents in Hamilton were told to evacuate their homes earlier today when it was feared the Grangeburn River would overflow. SES has since issued a “Safe To Return Notification” for the affected areas.
A 50 km stretch of the Great Ocean Road was closed by Victoria Police due to landslides caused by heavy rain in the area.
SES said that the Great Ocean Road will remain closed overnight between Eastern View and Lorne, and between Lorne and Skenes Creek.
VicRoads reported that dozens of roads were closed in the state as a result of flooding.
No way through to Castlemaine from Newstead. Muckleford Creek has overflowed and the road is closed. pic.twitter.com/TQxXcVje1U
— Chris Pedler (@TheAddyPedler) September 14, 2016
South Australia
Storms have left around 5,000 homes without power in the Adelaide Hills area of South Australia. Southern areas of the state have seen heavy rain, with Goolwa recording 61 mm and Parndana 51 mm in a 24 hour period between 13 and 14 September.
Highly variable rain across metro, 3 mm at Largs Nth and 30-60 mm in the Hills since 9am https://t.co/SCIrkMLPYU pic.twitter.com/ARV4dllVSY
— BOM South Australia (@BOM_SA) September 14, 2016
BoM have issued flood warnings for the Onkaparinga, Angas and Bremer Rivers and warned there could be more rain to come. In a statement made late on 14 September, BoM said:
“A deep low pressure system over central Victoria will continue to move east this evening. The band of rain associated with the low that was responsible for today’s flooding has also moved east, but showers will continue overnight and on Thursday. Some local creeks and rivers have broken their banks and there may be further flash flooding in the warning area.”
The State Emergency Service in South Australia have responded to more than 660 calls for help, many involving flooded homes.
Local media reported that several children and teachers were rescued after they were trapped in their school by floodwater.
