By Tyler Wright
The Yarra Valley experienced 10 to 20 millimetres of rain overnight on Wednesday 12 October, increasing to between 25 and 35 millimetres around Mount Dandenong into Thursday 13 October.
BOM meterologist Miriam Bradbury said showers are expected to increase on Thursday afternoon, with 20 to 40 millmetres of rain possibly reaching the Yarra Valley, with slightly less rain expected around Mount Dandenong.
The worst of the rain front is expected to arrive early afternoon on Thursday 13 October.
“There is still this level of uncertainty because it really depends on how quickly the frontal system moves through today, and exactly where those areas of heavy rainfall are,” Ms Bradbury said.
“The front itself is expected to move across those eastern parts of Melbourne, so including the Yarra Valley and Mount Dandenong, probably around 7 or 8pm tonight.
“It’s really just ahead of that front, and on that front, that’s when we’re likely to see the heaviest rainfall… around that sort of early evening period when we’re likely to see the worst of it.”
Ms Bradbury said Dandenong Creek and Bunyip River catchments in the Dandenong Ranges are on flood watch and may be upgraded to flood warnings later today.
BOM has already seen moderate to heaving flooding north of the Yarra Valley in the Acheron River and Yea River.
“It’s certainly something to keep in mind because even this weekend, once the rain eases off, we’re going to continue to see that flooding right throughout the weekend going into next week, and that damage that that flooding can cause may certainly take quite a while to be cleaned up and to recover from,” Ms Bradbury said.
“The worst of the rainfall and the flooding is really on a north of the ranges, so across areas a little bit further north.
“But anywhere that we’re seeing riverine flooding, we may see long lasting impacts, and we just encourage everyone to keep up to date with the with the latest warnings on the Bureau’s website, and also listen to and follow all advice from your emergency services around any flooding,” she said.
Emerald SES Unit Controller Ben Owen said crews have responded to around five or six calls as of around 12.15pm on Thursday 13 October, and the unit has opened up its shed to provide sandbags for residents.
“If the winds pick up this afternoon, then obviously our Olinda, Sassafras area is of significant concern, but if we get lots of rain, then it could be right across the board,” Mr Owen said.
“Obviously, people being trapped in flooded waters is our biggest concern but also debris being washed onto the roads and people needing to obviously drive to the conditions.
“Hopefully, we can avoid motor vehicle accidents… and people being trapped in flooded waters,” he said.
