Key Takeaways
- Communities on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road are recovering from disastrous flooding that brought flash flooding not seen in the area since 1983.
- The flooding was caused by record-breaking rain that fell in a short period, triggering flash flooding that swept away cars, caravans, and tents.
- Emergency services have expressed relief that no one was reported injured in the freak weather event, with at least six people rescued during the flooding.
- A stretch of the Great Ocean Road remains closed as authorities continue to make safety assessments, with cars and debris still pushed up against the bridge at Cumberland River.
- Weather authorities are predicting severe thunderstorms could return to western parts of the state early next week, with heightened fire dangers expected to return to Victoria on Friday and Saturday of next week.
Introduction to the Flooding
Communities on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road are continuing their recovery from disastrous flooding, with weather authorities predicting severe thunderstorms could return to western parts of the state early next week. The flooding, which occurred on Thursday, brought flash flooding not seen in the area since 1983, with record-breaking rain falling in a short period. The images of cars swept to sea or trapped against bridges, as well as those of caravan parks inundated and then evacuated, show the extent of the damage and the clean-up job still ahead.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
Emergency services have expressed relief and even a little disbelief that no one has so far been reported injured in the freak weather event. At least six people were rescued during the flooding, with police releasing footage of an aerial rescue operation involving five aircraft. A man in his 60s was winched by a police aircraft from the roof of a shed at Cumberland River during the operation. The emergency services have defended the emergency warnings sent out before the floods, amid criticism from locals and the Colac mayor that the text-message warnings came too late.
Impact on Communities and Infrastructure
The floodwater swept through caravan parks, rising in minutes, with cars and large amounts of debris still pushed up against the bridge at Cumberland River. A stretch of the Great Ocean Road between Skenes Creek and Lorne remains closed as authorities continue to make safety assessments. The Lorne caravan park could be closed for weeks after the flooding, with campers still counting the cost of the damage done to their vehicles and gear. Some holiday-makers have not been able to return to their campsites after caravan parks were evacuated during the flash flooding.
Personal Accounts of the Flooding
Those caught up in the floods are still shocked by how rapidly the deluge became a dangerous situation. Lachlan Cook, a Melbourne man whose car was swept out to sea during the flooding, said he had no time to save his family’s belongings. "The kids were pretty hysterical by then, like watching all their stuff float away," he said. Raferty Jennings, who was staying at a caravan park in Lorne when the storm came through, said, "Some of the tents are absolutely drenched. People lost their phones… By the time we were back, we were in knee-deep water trying to grab whatever we could … it was rough."
Weather Forecast and Future Risks
The Bureau of Meteorology’s Diana Edie said there was "an easing trend in terms of the rainfall risk" across Victoria for the weekend. However, she said stormy weather was set to drift over the state again before fire danger ratchets up later next week. "We will see a return of the potential for severe thunderstorms to western parts of Victoria on Monday, extending further to the east on Tuesday," she said. "At this stage, it is looking like we’ll see heightened fire dangers returning to Victoria on Friday and Saturday of next week." This forecast has raised concerns among locals, who are still recovering from the recent flooding and are bracing themselves for potential future disasters.
Conclusion and Ongoing Recovery Efforts
In conclusion, the communities on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road are still reeling from the disastrous flooding that occurred on Thursday. While emergency services have expressed relief that no one was reported injured, the clean-up efforts are ongoing, and the impact on local infrastructure and residents is still being assessed. As the weather forecast predicts severe thunderstorms could return to the area, locals are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The recovery efforts will likely take time, but with the support of emergency services and the community, the affected areas will slowly begin to return to normal.
