Creswick, Clunes water levels recede, but risks remain

CRESWICK Creek water levels have receded slightly, although residents are still being warned to stay away from flood waters.The Creswick Creek burst its banks this morning, flooding roads and forcing the evacuation of residents.Water has now receded slightly from Water St, which crosses the Creswick Creek.Risks from sudden surges in the creek's water volume remain due to broken dams and reservoirs upstream.It is the second time the town has flooded in the past four months.Last September, torrential rain caused widespread damage to home and businesses in the township.Have you been affected by flood waters in the Ballarat region? Let us know by posting a comment below.The SES says the flood impact on Creswick could be worse than September’s floods.Incident controller at Creswick, Craig Coulter, says water is flowing from the Farmers Arms Hotel in Albert St, all the way to the Creswick Creek.The Midland Hwy is blocked off at the Daylesford turn-off.In Albert Street, businesses and residents are continuing to sandbag around their properties.“The water is flowing down fairly hard and seems to be getting away a bit,” Mr Coulter said.“People are a bit more prepared…I think the impact could be twice as worse as what we saw in September.”Mr Coulter warned people against playing in the floodwater.A flood relief centre, established at the Creswick Town Hall yesterday afternoon, has more than 40 people registered.Many of today's arrivals are from the caravan park and low lying houses close to the river.Representatives from the Red Cross, Hepburn Shire Council, SES and other community groups are at the relief centre and evacuees are in high spirits.People in need of emergency grants are invited to register with the Department of Human Services at the relief centre.Do you have photos of the flood waters? Click here to share them with The Courier.Downstream at Clunes, flood waters are also receding.Despite the creek bursting its banks this morning, the expected influx of water from Creswick is now not anticipated and the sense of urgency has dissipated.Earlier, frantic sandbagging efforts were happening in the main street, while at the far end of Fraser Street, water had breached the road.The caravan park also flooded and people evacuated.Clunes resident Graeme Johnstone estimated about 20 houses in the town had been breached by floodwater.A relief centre is operating from the Clunes Health Service at 69 Service Street. About 20 people have taken refuge there. Residents seeking to contact the centre should ring 5345 9750.Meanwhile, VicRoads is reporting major road closures across the region, including the Western Highway between Ballarat and Horsham, the Pyrenees Highway between Avoca and Ararat and the Wimmera Highway in two places.More to come.