Victoria weather: Melbourne residents evacuated due to flooding amid warnings of another rain bomb

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that Victoria could be hit by even more downpours in the coming days as at least 1,000 homes are flooded or closed by flooding.

Despite easing conditions and a predicted wet weather postponement for days, waters are expected to rise further in the coming hours and the ground will be “incredibly wet.”

It comes as thousands of inner-city Melbourne residents were evacuated on Friday as entire streets of Marbiyrnong turned into rivers, with property and cars submerged.

Meanwhile, major flood warnings were issued this afternoon for the Werribee and Yarra rivers, more than 4,000 homes in the state are without power and SES crews have conducted more than 200 rescue operations.

Speaking at an emergency press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Daniel Andrews warned that the high water will “not reach its peak.”

“Then there’s the other problem of showers forecasted in the coming weeks and of course the ground was already soaked before these last few days of record rainfall,” he said.

“We know that even moderate rain showers in the coming weeks will be a real challenge for us as well. So this will be with all of us for a while.’

At least 500 homes in the state have been flooded, while another 500 have been cut off. Those numbers are almost certain to rise – with flooding in Shepparton and Wangaratta set to peak this weekend.

As conditions ease, the Bureau of Meteorology warned that the flood crisis is still “highly evolving.”

“We’re looking at a new low, possibly developing over South Australia on Monday and Tuesday of next week,” meteorologist Diane Eadie said.

Where that heavy rain goes is highly dependent on the movement of this system.’

“For Victoria, we could see some more rain in northern parts from Wednesday (next week) through Thursday and Friday.

“But at this stage we are rather on the periphery of that system. That said, the terrain is incredibly wet.”

Strathbogie North, in the northeast of Melbourne, has seen the most rain in recent days at 224mm, followed by Charnwood (210mm), 171mm over the Central Highlands at Avalon Station and 166mm at Seymour.

The SES has responded to more than 2,600 requests for assistance in 24 hours and has conducted at least 200 rescue operations in the past two days.

More than 1,500 Victorians requested an emergency payment within hours of the Friday morning announcement of the one-time payments.

Affected adults are each eligible for a payment of $560 with an additional $280 per child.

“We’re processing it as quickly as we can,” said Mr Andrews.

Meanwhile, the federal government keeps the state Mickleham Covid-19 quarantine hub opened as temporary accommodation for flood victims.

“We are making the necessary arrangements as we believe there is every chance in the coming days that we will have to accommodate people in that Mickleham facility,” said Mr Andrews.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy called on the state government to declare a natural disaster in flood-stricken areas.

“The scenes of flooding in our state, reaching virtually to the center of Melbourne, are devastating,” he said.

“It is clear that affected communities, families and small businesses need immediate relief, as well as longer term support to recover,” Mr Guy said.

Emergency authorities have yet to declare a natural disaster.

“This is a major emergency for the State of Victoria and in support of it, the State Control Center. We have activated our highest level of preparedness at level three and we will continue at level three for the foreseeable future,” said Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his heart goes out to Victorians affected by the flood crisis and has spoken with Prime Minister Andrews to offer support.

“There will be a request for support there,” said Mr. Albanese.

“There are already ADF personnel on the ground in Victoria who are providing that support and assistance.”