Victoria's slow-moving flood emergency is continuing to impact communities in the state's north, with more evacuation warnings issued over the weekend.
Key points:
- Communities along the Murray River in the north-west of the state are being impacted by an influx of water
- Floodwater is expected to hit Swan Hill today and peak into the week
- The entire length of the Murray is expected to have pressure points as the water slowly moves
Heavy rain across in October and the unfolding flood crisis in New South Wales have fed swollen rivers in Victoria's north.
Three emergency warnings were in place across the state on Monday morning, including a warning to evacuate immediately from Kenley, in Swan Hill.
Emergency warnings also remained in place for Echuca and for Koondrook Primary School, and residents have been warned it's not yet safe to return.
Weeks after the Murray River peaked in Echuca and Moama, the floodwater is now reaching communities around Swan Hill in the state's north-west.
Major flooding is occurring downstream of Wakool Junction, with more river rises expected throughout next week.
Deputy Incident Controller Mick Sporton said the Murray would remain elevated for quite some time.
"There are vast amounts of water coming from upstream but we have also got the Edward and the Wakool rivers joining into one and then meeting [the Murray] at Wakool Junction near Kenley," he said.
"The water is moving very slowly because of such an influx of water coming in from two systems at one spot at the same time."
Mr Sporton said the community had been working to defend homes and farmland.
Authorities expect the entire length of the river to have pressure points as the floodwater moves west, past Mildura and into South Australia.
Residents of Swan Hill have spent weeks preparing for the peak, which is expected on Friday, with significant rises starting today.
"The township of Swan Hill itself is going to be OK, because the levee banks are at such a height that we can contain the water within the river system," Mr Sporton said.
"But it will put some pressure on some low-lying areas that are below that level but still protected by levee banks in the Pental Island areas and the Tyntynder Flats area."
An army of volunteers in the northern Victorian town of Koondrook has been working around the clock to strengthen flood defences along the swollen Murray River.
Koondrook primary school was evacuated as a precaution on Friday after the water level reached the design height of nearby levees.
The school community expressed its frustration at the handling of the flood evacuation order, with the SES admitting it may have caused unnecessary alarm.
Authorities said the priority over the weekend was sandbagging at-risk areas.
"We've had a few call-outs for sand-baggers and always a fair few people show up to give us a hand," said local CFA volunteer Jason Monro.
Authorities have warned communities along the Murray and it tributaries to remain on alert well into December.
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2022-11-06 19:45:13Z
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