Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 3:32 pm EDT on Sunday 24 December 2023

Flood Watch Number: 1

Isolated minor flooding is possible across the flood watch area from Monday afternoon.

A deepening low pressure trough extending across the state Sunday evening (Christmas Eve) is expected to produce isolated showers and thunderstorms. This will linger over the state on Monday and is expected to produce moderate to heavy rainfall with thunderstorms. A surface low is expected to move slowly northward and then eastwards into the Tasman Sea during late Tuesday (Boxing Day). Showers and thunderstorms are expected to gradually contract to the east of the State during Tuesday.

Catchments across Western and North Central Victoria are dry, while catchments across East and North East Victoria are moderately wet.

Widespread rainfall totals of 10 to 40mm are expected in the warning areas during Sunday evening and Monday (Christmas Day), with isolated heavier falls of 70 to 80mm possible. The heaviest falls are more likely to be experienced with thunderstorms in the late Monday afternoon and evening . Rain will move over North East and Eastern catchments on Tuesday.

Although catchments in Western, North Western and Central areas are dry, river level rises are likely in the areas of heaviest rainfall. Catchments are relatively wet in parts of Gippsland and the North East and may respond quickly to rainfall. Isolated minor flooding may develop at some locations, particularly in the upper parts of the catchments in the flood watch area from Monday afternoon and during Tuesday.

Please note that some flood class levels have been updated on the Snowy, Genoa, Mitchell and Buchan Rivers. Please refer to Victorian Flood Class Levels South of Divide (http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/floodclass_south.shtml) for the current flood class levels.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Bemm, Cann and Genoa Rivers

Snowy River

Tambo River

Mitchell River

Avon River

Macalister River

Thomson River

Latrobe River

Traralgon Creek

Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek

Yarra River to Coldstream

Yarra River downstream of Coldstream

Maribyrnong River

Werribee River

Barwon, Leigh and Moorabool Rivers

Hopkins River

Upper Murray and Mitta Mitta Rivers

Kiewa River

Seven and Castle Creeks

Goulburn River upstream of Lake Eildon

Goulburn River Eildon to Seymour

Goulburn River downstream of Seymour

Campaspe River

Loddon River

Avoca River

The Bureau of Meteorology is continuing to monitor the situation and will issue catchment specific warnings as required.

See www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings to view the current warnings for Victoria.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml
Flood Safety Advice:

Note: This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop.

SES advises that all community members should:

Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater, Never allow children to play in floodwater, Stay away from waterways and stormwater drains during and after heavy rain, Keep well clear of fallen power lines Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

Current Emergency Information is available at http://emergency.vic.gov.au For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Current Road and Traffic Information is available at the VicRoads website:

http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

Weather Forecast:

For the latest weather forecast see http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/

River Height and Rainfall information are available on the Bureau of Meteorology web site at http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/

Flood Warnings and Flood Watches for Victorian Catchments are also available on: Telephone Weather Service No. 1300 659217.

Rainfall and River Conditions Map