Avoca on flood alert

AVOCA residents are bracing for floods following torrential rain. The swollen Avoca River has inundated the Avoca football ground and is threatening the newly-refurbished football clubrooms.And with more rain predicted, locals are fearing worse to come.Have you experienced any flooding or power blackouts in the Ballarat region? Let us know by posting a comment below.SES crews have been sandbagging the clubrooms this morning.SES volunteer Bob Brooke, of the Maryborough unit, said the crew had been working since 11 pm last night assisting residents who had called for help."There's a lot more rain coming; if we get some time for it to run away, it will be safe," Mr Brooke said."But if we don't, it will be more of the same (flooding)."Local electrician Bernie Turner has disconnected power to several public barbecues to avoid the possibility of electrocution.He expected flood waters to get significantly worse."It'll get worse, it'll certainly get higher," he said, overlooking the Avoca River."It's not going to get that much worse here; it could rise another two feet or more."But in Charlton downstream, they're going to cop it again."Meanwhile, large sections of the Lexton-Talbot Road have been inundated with water and sections of the road are expected to be closed soon.In Talbot, Stan Potter's house was surrounded by flood waters lapping at his front garden.But the 81-year-old resident, who was born in Talbot, is not worried.He said flood waters were worse about three weeks ago and he was not concerned they would enter his home.Lexton residents echoed Mr Potter's thoughts despite Burnbank Creek's rising water levels.Click here to read about flooding in the Wimmera.More to come.