She says at point the water was rising by a metre an hour. 

The water level has now steadied, but there are concerns upstreams flows later in the day might cause flooding in the town.

The following notification has been issued by the State Emergency Service:

“Rainfall from the past 8 hours or so in the Ballarat/Skipton area has resulted in a significant rise of the Mt Emu Creek at Skipton.

A peak around 5 metres is expected in Skipton in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

This event is similar to the one of September 2010.

Properties and businesses along Anderson Street and Montgomery Streets could be affected by rising floodwater.”

The following notification has been issued by the State Emergency Service:

“Rainfall over the past 24 hours in the Clunes area has resulted in significant rises in the Creswick Creek.

Clunes may experience flooding from the smaller gullies in low-lying areas around the town.

These areas include Purcell Street, Fraser Street, and the Clunes football oval and the caravan park.

The Creswick Creek in Clunes is currently at 3.51 metres and rising.

Local roads and bridges may be effected by water over roads and there may be damaged road surfaces. Never enter or drive in floodwater.

Current rainfall will cause further stream rises. Stay informed of any changes in the flood situation.”

The following notification has been issued by the State Emergency Service:

“The level of the Werribee River at Ballan is currently at 2.14m, exceeding the minor flood level of 1.40m, and rising. It is expected to peak around the Moderate Flood Level  (2.30m) around midday today (Wednesday).

The Werribee River catchment has received rainfall averaging about 34mm since 9.00am yesterday (Tuesday). Rainfall totals of about 7mm have been forecast for the catchment for the next two hours. Insignificant rainfall has been forecast for the catchment from 10am until midnight tonight.

Minor flooding in the Werribee River catchment is affecting low-lying areas adjacent to the waterway.

Moderate flooding in the Werribee River catchment is expected to cause substantial inundation in the rural and/ or urban areas, and disruption to traffic.

There are road closures in place. Not all water over road is signed. Please take care when travelling in flood effected areas and never drive through floodwater.”

The Avoca Hotel’s Ian Urquhart says waters in the Avoca River peaked at 9.30am today, after a total of 77mm rainfall.

The publican says it has since dropped about three feet (1m). It is short of the peak of the 2011 floods by about two feet (60cm).

Mr Urquhart said the sports ground was covered in water but the sports complex was not affected.

There are no reports of homes being affected either.

The following notification has been issued by the State Emergency Service:

“Since 09:00 am Tuesday, rainfall totals of up to 48 mm have been recorded in the Avoca River catchment.

Rain totals between 10 and 15 mm are forecast for the remainder of Wednesday.

Moderate flooding is occuring on the Avoca River.

Avoca River to Charlton Town:

The Avoca River at Yawong Weir is currently at 3.54 metres (moderate flood level 3.5 metres) and rising.

The Avoca River at Charlton D/S is currently at 2.41 metres and rising.

The Avoca River at Charlton Down Stream is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.5 metres) Wednesday afternoon.

The Avoca River at Charlton Down Stream is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (5.0 metres) Wednesday evening. Further rises above the moderate flood level are expected at Charlton Down Stream.

The Avoca River at Charlton Township is currently at 3.34 metres and rising.

The Avoca River at Charlton Township is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.50 m) Wednesday afternoon.

The river level is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (5.00 m) Wednesday evening. Further rises above the moderate flood level are expected at Charlton Township.”

Potential Impact In Your Area 

What You Should Do 

Emergency Contacts