Australia – Floods Continue in Victoria and South Australia After Record Rain

Update, 16 September, 2016

A body has been recovered from a dam in the south-west of Victoria. It is believed to be that of a the man reported as missing in the floods in Wallacedale on Wednesday, 14 September.

Original report, 15 September, 2016

The floods affecting the Australian states of Victoria and South Australia have continued, leaving dozens of homes damaged and at least 1 person missing.

Flooding has been affecting areas of Victoria and South Australia since the start of the week. Further heavy rain in South Australia over the last 24 hours caused further flooding, damaging at least 80 homes and forcing over 70 families to evacuate.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said that 14 September was the wettest September day on record for the Adelaide area. Earlier this wee BoM said that parts of Victoria had seen the wettest 3 day stretch in September for over 100 years.

In Victoria, the State Emergency Service (SES) has warned that, despite the easing of the torrential rain there, floodwaters continue to rise. One person is missing after his vehicle was swept away by floods in the south west of the state of Victoria.

Victoria

Parts of the state of Victoria were also badly affected by floods. Ground is saturated and rivers are full. The Avoca River at Charlton is expected to peak near 7.5 metres on Friday, 16 September.

SES say that despite the easing of the heavy rain in the state, floodwaters continue to rise, with more rain forecast next week.

Over 150 roads are closed across the state, including the Great Ocean Road. At least 13 schools have also been closed.

SES are reporting than an elderly man is missing in the floods after his vehicle was swept into floodwaters in Wallacedale, in the state’s southwest. In a separate incident a young boy was also reported missing in the floods, but has since been found.

In a press conference, Craig Lapsley of Victoria’s State Emergency Service said “this is not going away.” He added:

“We are calling this the floods of September, 2016. We are expecting it to be a significant event.

“Next week’s weather is concerning. If we get 20mm when we have reservoirs full, dams full and rivers full, that’s a concern.”

South Australia

In South Australia, at least 80 homes have been damaged by floods, mostly in the wider Adelaide area. That figure is expected to increase once further damage assessments have been carried out, according to a statement made by Premier Jay Weatherilll.

The South Australia government said that emergency grants of $700 per family are available for immediate needs if a home is inaccessible due to flooding.

South Australia State Emergency Service said that around 75 homes were evacuated after the Onkaparinga River overflowed in Old Noarlunga. As of earlier today a flood warning remained in place for the Onkaparinga River.

Further heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of South Australia over the last 24 hours. Below are BoM’s rainfall figures for the 24 Hours to 09:00 Thursday, 15 September 2016 in South Australia

• Uraidla – 100.4 mm
• Ashton – 100 mm
• Crafers West – 87 mm
• Mount Lofty – 84 mm
• Woodhouse – 82 mm

Record Rainfall

BoM reported that the Adelaide area has seen record amounts of rain. They said:

“Uraidla recorded 100.4 mm for 24hr rainfall amount to 9am this morning (15th September 2016). This is the new highest daily rainfall total for the month of September in the Adelaide region, and marks the 2nd wettest day for this location since observations began in April 1890.

“Goolwa had its wettest September day on record with 60.6 mm, and wettest day since February 1974.

“Murray Lagoon on Kangaroo Island also had its record wettest September day with 45.2 mm and the wettest day since June 2013.”

A massive 101 mm in 24h to 9am at Uraidla. This is the wettest Sept day in the #Adelaide region on record! #SAFloods pic.twitter.com/oZ7avQibmB

— BOM South Australia (@BOM_SA) September 15, 2016

RECORD RAINFALL FOR SA –
For all rainfall figures:- https://t.co/MCoS3e7fJ7 Or on a map:- https://t.co/IN3vJpLtAH pic.twitter.com/rqoGZNyz7j

— BOM South Australia (@BOM_SA) September 15, 2016

Dozens of roads have been damaged or blocked, including the Montacute Road in the Adelaide Hills area.

$700 clean-up grant per house available for clean up if your home is
damaged due to flood. Contact us for info pic.twitter.com/whTtvlXtbI

— SA_DCSI (@SA_DCSI) September 15, 2016

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