Millions across Victoria are bracing for mammoth downpours expected to smash the state on Sunday and continue into Monday.
Emergency services say the “extreme weather event” will sweep across all of Victoria and warned flash flooding and thunderstorms were highly likely.
“We are planning here … for what is possible, we are planning for in excess of 200mm of rain,” Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said.
“The extreme weather event will commence in the north-west and the south-west before moving across through central, north-central and into the east of the state.”
Victorians have been urged to prepare, particularly those living in flood-prone areas.
There is a significant threat to people in caravan parks or camping along creeks or other waterways.
“It’s highly likely that there will be flash floods in flood-prone areas,” he said.
“If you’re living in a flood-prone area, please make the necessary plans.”
He added a plea for drivers to avoid floodwaters: “You driving a car, not a boat,” he said.
A spokesman from the Bureau of the Meteorology said: “We’re going to see widespread rain and thunderstorm activity developing over western parts of the state throughout the Sunday morning and then through the rest of the day.”
The Bureau also issued a flood watch warning for most of central and northern Victoria.
- Flood Watch for Central and Northern Victoria
- Minor Flood Warning for the Avoca River
- Final Flood Warning for the Loddon River
- Final Flood Warning for the Seven and Castle Creeks