Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers are preparing for likely minor to moderate flooding across parts of Gippsland over the weekend, with major flooding possible in the Cann and Genoa catchments during Sunday.

With a low-pressure weather system developing off the Gippsland coast, widespread rainfall is predicted as it enters Victoria this weekend, with up to 120mm in East Gippsland and up to 60mm of rain in west and South Gippsland.

VICSES has issued a flood watch for the Bemm, Cann and Genoa Rivers; the Snowy River; Tambo River; Mitchell River; Avon River; Macalister River; Thomson River, and the South Gippsland Rivers. We advise the public that
flooding may occur overnight Saturday into Sunday.

There is some uncertainty about where the falls will occur, and we encourage you to check the VicTraffic website for road closures, if you are planning to travel to or from the area from Saturday night to Sunday morning.

Our VICSES Gippsland Units are ready to go 24/7, and we will have incident management personnel based in Bairnsdale who will monitor the impacts from the weather system as it moves inland.

We would like to remind Victorians to connect with official sources of emergency information, including: 

• Downloading VicEmergency app 
• Checking www.emergency.vic.gov.au
• Tuning in to local emergency broadcasters such as ABC local radio, commercial and selecting community radio stations, or SkyNews TV
• Phoning the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
• Following VICSES and VicEmergency on Facebook and Twitter.

Quotes attributable to VICSES State Agency Commander, Geb Abbott:

“While we don’t expect to rainfall to the extent of what we are seeing in northern New South Wales, we would ask Victorians to stay safe by never driving through floodwater.”

“It can take just 15 centimetres of flowing water for float a small car. Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded, and be aware of driving hazards, such as mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen and damaged trees. Drive to conditions, and stay away from trees; drains; low-lying areas; creeks; canals; culverts and, of course, floodwater.”