Beware rising waters

FLOOD warnings have been issued regarding major Victorian water catchments in and around the south-eastern suburbs and the greater Gippsland area.
The significant deluge this week has prompted the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) to issued warnings for catchments at Bunyip, Dandenong and across East Gippsland and warned everyone to stay vigilant around water this weekend.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts stream rises to occur in the Melbourne Metropolitan (Central) and Gippsland (East) regions with Bunyip and Dandenong catchments in particular potentially facing minor flooding by Monday afternoon and evening.
Alerts have also been issued for East Gippsland catchments at Mitchell, Tambo, Snowy, Cann and Genoa Rivers and Gippsland Lakes and around the western suburbs at Maribyrnong and Werribee.
“A low pressure system is expected to deepen just east of Bass Strait today (Sunday) and during Monday, resulting in a cold, vigorous and unstable south-westerly airstream over Victoria,” the SES warning stated.
“Rainfall totals of 20-40mm are forecast for the eastern Melbourne catchments over the next 48 hours.
“Local heavy falls are expected about the ranges with snow falling above 800 metres, rising to 1200 metres this afternoon.”
For people living or working along rivers and streams, the SES encourages you to monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop. For flood or storm emergency assistance from the SES, call 132 500 and for life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000).
Road closures and alerts are available via VicRoads at vicroads.vic.gov.au or by phone 131 170 while weather warnings and river heights can be found on the BOM website bom.gov.au or by phoning 1300 659 217.