Live blog, October 15: BOM updates Goulburn River peak expectations; Causeway shuts, many roads under water

A reminder: the most recent news updates are at the TOP of this blog. As you scroll down, you’ll be travelling BACKWARDS in time.

Ensure you stay across alerts on the Vic Emergency app, the Victoria SES website or calling 132 500 if you urgently need assistance. Call 000 in an emergency and remember to never drive through or enter floodwaters.

If you just want an update on your town, press control-F and type in your home name.

News deputy editor Max Stainkamph was at a flood information session on Friday night and put together this story.

Nath Burdziejko put together the flood maps for anyone unable to access the GBCMA website.

UPDATE, 11.50pm: Nothing new

No further info from Vic Emergency.

Stay safe out there overnight, we’re going to wake up to a very wet Greater Shepparton area.

We’ll see you again for tomorrow’s live blog early in the morning.

UPDATE, 11.30pm: Gallery

While I’m here, I’ve whipped together this gallery of News photographer Rechelle Zammit’s travels today - before she had to head off to evacuate her home like a lot of our editorial team.

Here it is below. Still no word from Vic Emergency.

UPDATE, 11.15pm Saturday: Updated information

Tyler here with a final-ish update for the night.

I’m expecting the Vic Emergency updates to roll through soon.

But the Bureau of Meteorology app has updated as of 11pm, stating that a major peak of around 12.2m for the Goulburn River is possible early Monday morning.

This both higher, and earlier, than much of the information which has been distributed to this point of the Greater Shepparton flooding emergency.

A lot of photos of the rising flood water in Shepparton, Kialla and Mooroopna are circling on social media.

Please, do not put yourself in danger to take these pictures.

Do not drive in floodwater - it may be the last decision you make.

UPDATE, 8.45pm Saturday: Too late to leave orders revoked until 11pm

People are now being recommended to leave parts of Shepparton and Orrvale which are under threat from flood water.

The message replaces the warning put in place at 6pm, which said it was too late to leave.

It is now recommended residents and visitors in Shepparton evacuate between now and 11pm, Saturday October 15 to the Shepparton Showgrounds, High St, Shepparton.

If you are located in Shepparton, it is recommended you evacuate immediately to the Shepparton Showgrounds.

If you are already surrounded by floodwater, it is too late to leave.

Never enter floodwater.

Vic Emergency is recommending people travel to a safe location.

Options include the relief centre at Shepparton Showgrounds, family or friends’ homes located in a safe location away from flooding.

The Midland Hwy also known as the Mooroopna Causeway between Mooroopna and Shepparton is now CLOSED.

When you leave, remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.

I’m now going to attempt to sign off on the blog again. -Max

UPDATE, 8.30pm Saturday: Water spilling into the lake, wrapping up blog

Water has begun flooding into Victoria Park Lake as the Goulburn River rises, with the river at 11.28m as of 8.15pm.

The News journalist Anna McGuinness popped back over the Broken River to take this stunning shot of the South Shepparton (Kialla) BP which is now under water.

There is unlikely to be any major change to the situation in Shepparton, Mooroopna and Kialla overnight aside from the water level continuing to rise, with too late to leave alerts put in place for large sections of Greater Shepparton.

Our journalists — who we’re super proud of — have been going hell for leather for nearly 72 hours, while many of them have sandbagged and evacuate their own homes between jobs.

If anything major occurs we’ll be back, but otherwise we’ll fire the blog up again early tomorrow morning.

Reminder from Vic Emergency — if you have not already evacuated, stay where you are and shelter in the highest location possible, be aware you may be isolated by floodwater for a significant amount of time and check you have enough food, drinking water and medications - if you do not, phone Triple Zero (000) for assistance.

If you have already evacuated, do not return to your home until a Safe to Return notification is issued, register at a relief centre so your friends, family and authorities can be informed you are safe and stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings.

Remember to never drive through or enter flood waters.

Our friends in Echuca are bracing for flooding exceeding 2011 levels tomorrow morning, with the Campaspe River level likely to peak around 95.8m (AHD) during tomorrow morning.

Stay safe and dry, Shepparton, Mooroopna and Kialla. -Max

UPDATE, 7.49pm Saturday: Sandbags still available in Shepparton

Shepparton mayor Shane Sali is down at the Shepparton Showgrounds. Volunteers are still helping fill sandbags and will be doing so until midnight or until they run out.

At this stage, they have enough volunteers.

UPDATE, 7.35pm Saturday: People walking across Causeway

Emergency vehicles are still making their way across the Causeway according to senior reporter Anna McGuinness on the ground at Monash Park.

Apparently a small group of three or four people defied police and walked across the Causeway a little bit earlier.

I think it’s safe to say this certainly isn’t advised and I doubt police will continue to allow it

UPDATE, 7.24pm Saturday: Broken River rising, tempers flaring at the Causeway

News journalist Anna McGuinness is at the Causeway where more police are arriving and trying to turn back motorists.

The Causeway shut just after 7pm following uncertainty over when is would shut, and Anna is saying she can hear people asking what they are supposed to do.

A woman has yelled “we have nowhere to go”. The Goulburn is just about to top 11.2 metres.

Meanwhile at the Broken River, the level at Orrvale is 7.95 metres and rising fast, as News editor Tyler Maher has found by popping a stick in the water and watching it rise.

“BP South Shepparton has been flooded and the water is approaching the GV Hwy,” he said.

UPDATE, 7.22pm Saturday: River rising along the Boulevard, Boulevard partially closed

Boulevard is now closed from Hovell Crescent up towards the Shepparton Golf Club.

Reader Dave Pinnock sent in a photo of the Howitt Rd intersection.

"Road now closed and rising very quickly. By 7.30pm it'll be over the road completely,“ he said.

UPDATE, 7.07pm Saturday: Causeway is being shut

News journalist Anna McGuinness is at Monash Park and said police are now shutting the entrance to the Causeway.

We’re expecting they will then shut the High St entrance in a couple of minutes, severing the connection between Shepparton and Mooroopna.

UPDATE, 6.54pm Saturday: Causeway still open???

Anna has told me the Causeway is still open between Shepparton and Mooroopna, 25 minutes after we were told it would shut.

UPDATE, 6.50pm Saturday: Broken River high

Tyler Maher just sent me a snap from where the GV Highway cuts over the Broken River.

“The green line you can see the river approaching is the 12.17m mark. In 1974 and 1993 this gauge saw levels at 12.97m.”

This line is on the flood marker in the background, not on the sign at the path.

UPDATE, 6.37pm Saturday: Quick summary of a crazy half hour

Vic Emergency has said it is too late to leave parts of Shepparton, Mooroopna, Kialla West and Orrvale (edit: order REVOKED at 8.45pm)

At this stage there is very little flooding in Shepparton as of 6.30pm, but the river gauge has just broken major flood level of 11 metres and is well on its way to the expected 12 metre peak.

The causeway at Mooroopna is still open as I type but could shut at any minute. It was set to close at 6pm on Sunday night, which was revised to 7pm Saturday night and then again to 6.30pm.

Incident controller Peter Bell spoke to me earlier.

“Water is rising quicker than expected, public safety is paramount, and based on a risk assessment at incident control level we have decide to close the causeway to protect life and property,” he said.

UPDATE, 6.32pm Saturday: Full Vic Emergency warning for Shepparton

Here’s the full emergency warning for Shepparton for those who might not have seen it.

This Emergency Warning is being issued for properties within the City of Shepparton

The flood is expected to impact properties identified below overnight Saturday (tonight).

The Midland Hwy also known as the Mooroopna Causeway between Mooroopna and Shepparton will be CLOSED from 6.30pm tonight, 15 October.

It is now too late to leave for people in those properties identified in more detail below. If you have not evacuated, you should shelter in the highest location possible.

From the river along Daldy Rd east to the Barmah-Shepparton Rd then south to the transmission lines crossing the highway then west and south to Wanganui Rd; across to Mercury Ct then south on the Numurkah Rd to Halpin Cres; then west up to Furze Ave, along Newton Cres, up to Hicken Cres to Fehey St down to Balaclava Rd across to Gowrie St, up to Alambie St then down to The Blvd; follow The Blvd down to Quinan Pde to the Midland Hwy. down Welsford St to the railway line. North up the railway line to Swallow St then down to Haves St then down Hare St, Sanderson St, Wilmot Rd, Bradford Rd, Palmer Rd to Broken River Drive. Across to the GV Hwy across to forest Rd, down to Settlers Dr and across to the Goulburn River.

There is also an area bounded by Kittles Rd, the river, Wanganui Rd and west of Kingfisher Dve, Pelican Crt and Curlew Pl that should remain unaffected however they will be isolated by waters to the east and north.

There are properties within these areas that may not be directly impacted with street flooding only.

What you should do:

If you have not already evacuated:

Stay where you are and shelter in the highest location possible.

Be aware that you may be isolated by floodwater for a significant amount of time.

Check you have enough food, drinking water and medications - if you do not, phone Triple Zero (000) for assistance.

If you have already evacuated:

Do not return to your home until a Safe to Return notification is issued.

If you’ve lost your phone or your phone is dead you can register at a relief centre so that your friends, family and authorities can be informed that you are safe.

You should stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings.

Floodwater is dangerous - never enter floodwater.

This evacuation warning is likely to remain in place for several days and will be reviewed daily.

Impacts in your area:

Flood levels remain above that of a single-story home.

Based on historic data, this flood is likely to have a similar impact as the 1974 flood event

You may lose services including power, water, sewerage and telephone due to flooding.

This message was issued by State Emergency Service.

The next update is expected by 16/10/2022 11:00 am or as the situation changes.

UPDATE, 6.18pm Saturday: Water rises quicker than expected

Incident controller Peter Bell has just given me a statement.

“Water is rising quicker than expected, public safety is paramount, and based on a risk assessment at incident control level we have decide to close the causeway to protect life and property,” he said.

That was as much as I could get out of them, they’re obviously pretty busy at the minute.

News editor Tyler Maher is down at Victoria Park Lake and said people are still walking around and kids are on the skate park.

UPDATE, 6.15pm Saturday: Major flood level reached in Shepparton

The gauge in Shepparton is now reading a major flood level with a really sharp turn upwards over the past hour or so.

I can only assume this is what’s caused the drastic, sudden change in advice which includes a ‘too late to leave’ warning across all affected areas of Greater Shepparton.

Major flooding has developed along the Goulburn River at Shepparton during Saturday afternoon, with levels rising rapidly due to tributary inflows from the Broken River and Seven and Castle Creeks.

UPDATE, 6.05pm Saturday: A bit happening

We’re trying to find more about why the alerts have been pushed out across Shepparton.

The closure time on the Causeway has been pushed forward again to 6.30pm, apparently.

We’re sending a journalist there now and we’re on the phone to the incident control centre. We’re just as blindsided by this news as you are.

UPDATE, 5.50pm Saturday: Too late to leave across Greater Shepparton

A warning has gone out to residents across Greater Shepparton, including Kialla West, Orrvale, Mooroopna and Shepparton.

Vic Emergency is warning it is now too late to leave affected properties.

Vic Emergency has also updates its advice to say the Causeway will shut at 7pm tonight.

Not much has flooded in either Shepparton or Mooroopna at this stage from what we can tell on the blog. We’re trying to find out more.

UPDATE, 5.45pm Saturday: Bit damp around the lake.

What happens when the river spills into the lake? As I told Aydin Payne last week, it means the lake will get wet! (I’m very funny.)

UPDATE, 5.24pm Saturday: Update from Benalla

Benalla Ensign editor Simon Ruppert has been on the ground in Benalla today as the cleanup begins.

Flood waters are beginning to recede in Benalla as residents assess the damage.

Benalla Rural City Council is currently working to fill the array of potholes that appeared on local roads.

BRCC CEO Dom Testoni said the current fixes are temporary, in order to make the road network as safe as possible.

Read the full story here:

UPDATE, 5.07pm Saturday: Update from Murchison

Journalist Monique Preston has been in touch with the SES in Murchison, with the flooding peak of 12 metres hitting 3pm today.

Murchison SES unit controller Stephen Addison said a levee bank was erected along the middle of Stephenson St and has so far been effective in holding off water from reaching the main street businesses.

Water that was reaching the south part of the levee is being pumped back over the levee and into the river.

Check the link below for the whole story.

UPDATE, 4.43pm Saturday: Causeway to close from 6pm Sunday

Murmurs about the Causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna being closed and predictions of when it might are continuing this afternoon on social media.

Anna McGuinness has spoken to the incident control centre in Shepparton just now, and said the Causeway will shut tomorrow at 6pm.

The Causeway is not closed however the speed limit has been reduced as wildlife move to higher ground to escape the floodwater and endanger motorists.

The Goulburn River is expected to exceed the major flood level of 11 metres sometime tonight and evacuation orders are in place for parts of Shepparton and Mooroopna.

For people in the warning areas, authorities are warning if you don't evacuate before 6pm, your property may be isolated or inundated with water and it may be too late to leave.

Check if you are in the evacuation area at https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

A boil water advisory has been lifted for Echuca, too, in good news for the town which is going to be hit hard by flooding.

Other major roads to close include the Goulburn Valley Highway south of Shepparton from River Road, Kialla to Euroa-Arcadia Road, Arcadia, the Goulburn Valley Highway at Seymour, the Goulburn Valley Highway between Koriella and Molesworth, the Midland Highway between Benalla and Shepparton, the Midland Highway from Elmore to the Northern Highway and Heathcote-Rochester Road, between Heathcote and Rochester.

UPDATE, 4.15pm Saturday: Good Samaritans at work

Monique Preston has spoken to GV Boarding Kennels and Cattery at Congupna where they are taking in dogs and cats if people have to evacuate their homes.

Owner Jodie Hafey said the business is offering to take the animals for free.

As well as cats and dogs, she said they also have a paddock where people can bring horses or other animals such as sheep if needed.

Give them a call on 0419 114 394 if you need somewhere to take your pets

UPDATE, 4.10pm: Speed reduced on the Causeway, road closures

The Causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna has been reduced to 40km/h, partially to avoid hitting the large amount of wildlife hopping over the road, because Skippy is also trying to avoid flood water.

The Goulburn Valley Hwy is shut at River Rd down, as Central Kialla Rd is also shut due to flooding all the way down to Murchison-Violet Town Rd.

Archer St is shut at the bridge across the Broken River.

Tom Collins Dve has been shut as well in Shepparton, as have Lenne and Howe Sts in Mooroopna.

UPDATE, 3.55pm Saturday: Be kind and cautious

G’day all, Max Stainkamph jumping into the blog after sandbagging and evacuating my place just off McIntosh St this morning and early arvo.

First cab off the rank - it’s a bit of a stressful time, so please think of others. And, it should go without saying, but if you’re stealing anything - sandbags, items, anything - from homes who have evacuated then you’re a rubbish human being.

My colleague Isabelle Harris posted this just earlier.

Also, there are a lot of people out on the roads, and a lot of them are distracted near flood waters.

I saw one gentleman who appeared to have been knocked over crossing the road with emergency services on scene near McIntosh St.

Please be careful and cautious around Shepparton and Mooroopna.

Also, if you’re just going for a stickybeak - consider not doing so. It’s clogging up residential streets. Maybe hop on the bike.

UPDATE, Saturday, 3.40pm: Seymour begins its clean up

Seymour has begun the clean up from its flood, even before the flood waters have fully receded back into the Goulburn.

Seymour Telegraph journalist Bianca Hall and local photographer Wayne Herring have been out and about documenting progress as the following photos show.

UPDATE, Saturday, 3pm: Some services closing

Tyler Maher tells me the BP Petrol Station in Kialla has closed, with water approaching through it’s eastern car park.

News journalist Anna McGuinness, who is working despite her home being in an evacuation zone, snapped these photos of a swollen Broken River just a few metres from the BP earlier today.

UPDATE, Saturday, 2.45pm: Echuca and Echuca Village under evacuation warning

Vic Emergency has issued an emergency warning for parts of Echuca and Echuca Village, saying people in those areas should evacuate immediately.

Flooding is expected to impact residents who's properties surround the Campaspe River from this afternoon onwards.

Residents in Echuca Village can expect to be impacted over the coming days.

Vic Emergency says if you are located in the warning areas, it is recommended you evacuate immediately, and travel to a safe location. Options include:

Is strongly recommended you evacuate during daylight hours.

The safest evacuation route is by Kotta, Lockington, Elmore (Via Elmore Mitiamo Road). Then travel directly to Bendigo via the Midland Highway.

When you leave, remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.

People are reminded that floodwater is dangerous and they should never enter it.

UPDATE, Saturday, 2.26pm: Shepparton the latest centre to face evacuation

Residents across large swathes of Shepparton have been told to evacuate for their safety.

Vic Emergency has issued an emergency warning for the area, saying people who live, work or are holidaying in the area should evacuate immediately.

If your property is listed in the areas below, it is recommended you leave immediately.

Evacuation zone:

From the river along Daldy Rd east to the Barmah-Shepparton Rd, then south to the transmission lines crossing the highway, then west and south to Wanganui Rd; across to Mercury Ct, then south on the Numurkah Rd to Halpin Cres; then west up to Furze Ave, along Newton Cres, up to Hicken Cres to Fehey St, down to Balaclava Rd across to Cowrie St, up to Alambie St, then down to The Blvd; follow The Blvd down to Quinan Pde to the Midland Hwy, down Welsford St to the railway line. North up the railway line to Swallow St then down to Haves St then down Hare St, Sanderson St, Wilmot Rd, Bradford Rd, Palmer Rd to Broken River Drive. Across to the GV Hwy across to forest Rd, down to Settlers Dr and across to the Goulburn River.

There is also an area bounded by Kitties Rd, the river, Wanganui Rd and west of Kingfisher Dve, Pelican Crt and Curlew Pl that should remain unaffected, however the area will be isolated by waters to the east and north.

There are properties within these areas that may not be directly impacted with street flooding only.

People in evacuation zones should travel to a safe location. Options include:

The Goulburn River at Shepparton is currently at 10.22 metres and rising, with minor flooding.

It is expected to exceed the moderate flood level of 10.7 metres this afternoon (Saturday).

The river level is likely to exceed the major flood level of 11 metres overnight Saturday into Sunday and may reach around 12 metres on Tuesday, slightly below the 1974 flood event level of 12.09 metres.

UPDATE, Saturday, 1.26pm: Flood map published

The News’ Nathan Burdziejko has painstakingly stitched together more than 80 screenshots of maps from the Goulburn Broken CMA of expected floods.

The file above may not crop or download properly, so use the Google Drive link below.

It’s a large file, so may take some time to download, but you should be able to zoom right in to street level.

The link can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bU79mM6gTED82KcaTC9-emVjgjcsUf67?usp=sharing

UPDATE, Saturday, 1.15pm: Powercor warns residents to be prepared for power to be cut

Powercor says it is continuing to monitor water levels and conduct flood mitigation activities around critical electricity infrastructure in Mooroopna as the Goulburn River continues to rise.

It says its crews are finalising work on a levee, with sandbagging and pumps also ready to being used around two substations.

If significant flood water does reach either of the substations it may pose a major safety risk, so Powercor might need to de-energise them to protect the community and reduce the risk of long-term damage to infrastructure.

Powercor says if that is required, customers may be without power for a prolonged period as the site will only be able to be re-energised when water has receded enough for it to be safe to do so.

Powercor said customers should plan ahead and know what they will do if power does go out.

Mooroopna zone substation supplies power to Tatura, Mooroopna, Ardmona, parts of Shepparton, Kialla, Haston, Murchison, Dhurringile, Rushworth and surrounding towns.

Advice on preparing for power outages is available at www.powercor.com.au/power-outages-and-faults/prepare-for-power-outages/

Advice on what to do if you are impacted by flooding is available at www.powercor.com.au/media-and-resources/media-centre/electrical-safety-and-floods/.

UPDATE, Saturday, 12.55pm: Mooroopna residents told to evacuate immediately

An emergency warning has been issued for locations within the Mooroopna area with people living, working or holidaying in the area told to evacuate immediately.

Vic Emergency says the Goulburn River at Shepparton is currently at 10.22 metres and rising, with minor flooding.

The Goulburn River at Shepparton is expected to exceed the moderate flood level of 10.7 metres on Saturday afternoon.

The river level is likely to exceed the major flood level of 11 metres overnight Saturday into Sunday and may reach around 12 metres on Tuesday, slightly below the 1974 flood event level of 12.09 metres.

It says flooding is expected to impact properties in and around Mooroopna late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

If you are located in properties listed below in the Mooroopna area, it is recommended you evacuate immediately.

From Cemetery Rd south to Hoggard Dve, including Little Rd down to the Echuca Rd, around the back of properties on Paisley Crt; along the edge of the Conservation Reserve to the power sub-station, then along Echuca Rd to Grange St; South to Macisaac Rd, across to Norton Reserve and along Norton Dve around Homewood Dve at the back of Westview Dve to the rear of the Rodney Park Retirement Village to Knight St. south across to Jones Drive along the western side of Rodney Park Reserve, then across McLennan St to Emma St, Hall St, Daisy St to Lenne St, along Stanley St, along the rear of properties along Rostrata Cr, following the reserve to Banfield Ave (S/E side).

Then across to the reserve along the Goulburn River, follow the river north across the highway to Cemetery Rd again.

There are some properties within this area that may not be impacted directly, with street flooding only.

Vic Emergency says you should travel to a safe location. Options to evacuate to include:

UPDATE, Saturday, 12.48pm: Long queues for sandbags in both Shepparton and Mooroopna

News editor Tyler Maher, himself collecting to protect his house, has reported a queue of about an hour-and-a-half at the Shepparton Showgrounds for sandbags.

Tyler said the queue seems to be shortening, though.

Meanwhile, over in Mooroopna, News reporter Monique Preston said residents have told her the queue there is about 50 minutes.

With authorities advising against unnecessary travel and evacuation announcements possible at any time, people would be wise to think twice about crossing the Causeway for sandbags.

UPDATE, Saturday, 12.10pm: Premier comments on the death of a Rochester man

In a press conference this morning, Premier Daniel Andrews said the death of a 71 year-old man in Rochester underlined the seriousness of the floods in the state.

The exact circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined.

“This is potentially very, very dangerous and our sympathies are with that family and hopefully that sends a broader message of just how serious this is and that’s why we’re all working as hard as we possibly can to make sure that people are safe,” Mr Andrews said.

Read more here: https://www.sheppnews.com.au/news/body-of-rochester-man-found-in-flooded-back-yard/

UPDATE, Saturday, 12pm: Kialla West residents told to evacuate, Archer St bridge cut

Residents in Kialla West have been told to evacuate now if they are able.

The Broken River has also risen over Archer St near the bridge.

The Seven Creeks at Kialla West is currently at 6.81 metres and rising.

The river level may peak near 7.10 metres Saturday night.

If you are located in the Kialla West area, it is recommended you evacuate immediately.

The evacuation zone is: Union Rd West from just east of the Goulburn River east onto Union Rd to just east of the Archer Rd south intersection (northern side); from the northern end of Archer Rd South east across to Central Kialla Rd across to Trevaskis Rd (includes McKernan Rd west of Trevaskis Rd) to the East Goulburn Main Channel. North along the Channel to Irish Creek then northwest to Trevaskis Rd then west to Central Kialla Rd (includes the Kialla Golf Club) then northwest to Mitchell Rd along Seven Creeks to the Shepparton-Seymour Rd. Then south down behind the cemetery down to Moira Drive west across to the Goulburn River (includes Moira Park Scout Camp) then east back to the Shepparton-Seymour Rd and to Seven Creeks. South along Seven Creeks to just north of Union Rd then west to No2 Channel.

If you are already prepared to leave you should do so now.

UPDATE, Saturday, 11.40am: Orrvale residents told to evacuate

Vic Emergency has issued an emergency warning for locations within the Orrvale area, telling people in the vicinity to evacuate immediately.

“If you live, work or are holidaying in this area, you should evacuate immediately,” the warning states.

Vic Emergency says major flooding may occur along the Broken River downstream of Casey Weir.

The Broken River at Orrvale is rising and may exceed the major flood level of 7.9 metres late Saturday morning. Then, the river level may peak near 8.3 metres on Sunday morning.

If you are in locations listed below, it is recommended you evacuate immediately.

Properties along Broken river Drive to Archer St down to Oxbow Ave (south side) along the southern edge of Kensington Gardens across to McPhees Rd; east to Doyles Rd to Orrvale Rd to Prentice Rd across Central Ave up to Channel Rd to Jameson Rd across to Boundary Rd and to the East Goulburn Main Channel.

Then south to where the channel meets the No 8 Main Channel, then up to River Rd to Trevaskis Rd. Across to Doyles Rd continuing across to Archer Rd and into areas including Avon St, Wilgarning Dve, Whitton Ave, Marlboro Dve, Kerang Ave and areas along the Kialla Lakes.

You should travel to a safe location.

Options include:

UPDATE, Saturday, 11.20am: Violet Town flood warning lifted

Vic Emergency says the threat of flooding in Violet Town has reduced with water levels in Honey Suckle Creek falling and expected to continue falling.

It says flooding is no longer expected in the town.

The latest advice replaces the Watch and Act message issued at 10.28 pm on Friday, October 14 .

Vic Emergency says people in Violet Town can now return to normal activities, but should remain aware of any hazards that may still exist in the warning area.

UPDATE, Saturday, 11.15am: Animal hazards on roads

News reporter Monique Preston reports drivers using the Causeway section of the Midland Highway between Shepparton and Mooroopna should keep a look out for wildlife.

Monique says the Causeway is still flowing freely at the moment, but there is a lot of water through the bush either side of it.

She also says there are several kangaroo carcasses on the road, which have been hit by vehicles and are still on the road causing a hazard.

So take care on the road, for yours and each other’s sakes, but also spare a thought for the wildlife, who are also being displaced by flood water and searching to high ground.

UPDATE, Saturday, 11am: Body of man found in flood waters at Rochester

Police say they will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a man at Rochester.

Emergency services were called to reports a man was found deceased in flood waters in the backyard of his High Street property about 9.30am.

SES crews are on scene, and police are attempting to get to the property, which is currently blocked off due to floodwater.

The exact circumstances surrounding the death are yet to be determined.

UPDATE, Saturday, 10.44am: Department of Transport urges people to avoid all unnecessary travel, V/Line rail and coach services remain suspended

The Department of Transport has reissued its advice to Victorians to avoid unnecessary travel in flood impacted regions.

It says many roads are damaged or closed due to flooding.

Areas of current concern are the Seymour and Shepparton regions, the Loddon Valley, the north-east and the south-west, however all areas of the state have been impacted by the weather.

All current road closures are listed at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

People are urged to familiarise themselves with road closures in their area before travelling to determine if it is possible to reach their destination.

Major roads currently closed include:

For safety reasons, V/Line services, including all trains and coaches remain suspended on the Shepparton and Albury lines.

Trains between Bendigo and Southern Cross continue to operate, however train and coach services between Bendigo and Swan Hill/Echuca will remain suspended until further notice, including scheduled and replacement coach operations.

Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app.

The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.

UPDATE, Saturday, 10am: Volunteers and ADF working frantically to meet sandbag demand

News journalist Monique Preston and photographer Rechelle Zammit are working hard today to bring us the latest developments around the region.

Monique has this update from the sandbag chain gang at the Shepparton Showgrounds:

The showgrounds has a long line up stretching around the whole showgrounds to collect sandbags, so people will need to be patient when waiting in the queue.

Currently, there’s a rapid relief team, which is part of the not-for-profit organisation Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, which has brought an automatic sandbag machine down from Sydney to help with the effort.

They put a call out last night among their members and brought the machine down from Sydney last night, arriving at 6am.

It can load a thousand sandbags in an hour and has a team of 20 volunteers working on it.

The Australian Defence Force is also there, assisting with loading sandbags into waiting cars.

People can take 20 sandbags per car.

Defence force personnel are also shovelling sand into bags.

The rapid relief team will be here for the next three days at the showgrounds site with their volunteers working in shifts.

Most are from Shepparton, although volunteers from Nathalia will be working on the afternoon shift and others are coming from Wangaratta, Bendigo and Melbourne.

UPDATE, Saturday, 9.35am: Volunteers required to help fill sandbags

If you’re not in need of sandbags yourself, and can help fill a few, then Greater Shepparton mayor Shane Sali says your assistance will be greatly appreciated. This via News editor Tyler Maher’s Twitter.

UPDATE, Saturday, 9.22am: Greater Shepparton City Council asks residents to be patient while queuing for sandbags

The Greater Shepparton City Council has issued this update on the availability of sandbags in the city.

Sandbags

Sandbags are available from 8am (Saturday, October 15) at the following locations:

There is currently a wait - please be patient and be nice to the volunteers.

Please note. Kialla Recreation Reserve is closed for sandbag collection.

Leaving livestock at the Shepp Saleyards

UPDATE, Saturday, 8.10am: Shepparton expecting major flooding Saturday afternoon

Major flooding has eased at Seymour, which is good news, but that also means it is flowing downstream along the Goulburn River towards Shepparton, not to mention the rural areas along the way.

Murchison residents have already been told it is too late to leave and they should move to the highest ground possible.

Vic Emergency says the Goulburn River may reach around 12 metres at Murchison this morning.

It also says it is expecting flood levels in Shepparton to peak on Tuesday at close to the May 1974 flood peak of 12.09 metres.

Major flooding is likely to extend downstream to Shepparton during Saturday afternoon.

The Goulburn River at Shepparton is expected to exceed the moderate flood level of 10.7 metres this morning, with the river level likely to exceed the major flood level of 11 metres.

Widespread major flooding is occurring along the Goulburn River and its tributaries in response to widespread heavy rainfall during Wednesday and Thursday.

Major flooding has peaked at Seymour above the record flood from May 1974 of 7.64 metres.

Major flooding has eased along the Acheron River, Yea River, Hughes Creek and Sunday Creek.

UPDATE, Saturday, 7.55am: Residents of Orrvale told to immediately move to higher ground

A major flood warning has been issued for the Broken River downstream of Casey Weir with major flooding expected at Orrvale.

The flood waters are expected to reach Orrvale from late Saturday morning, with a peak around 8.3 metres possible on Sunday morning.

The major flood level is 7.90 metres - to give you some perspective.

Vic Emergency says people should move to higher ground and act immediately to protect lives and property.

River levels along the Broken River have peaked at Benalla and Casey Weir.

The flood peak is now upstream of Orrvale.

Rainfall has eased, and no significant rainfall is forecast during Saturday and into Sunday.

UPDATE, Saturday, 7.55am: Good news for Benalla

River levels along the Broken River have peaked at Benalla and Casey Weir.

Rainfall has eased, and no significant rainfall is forecast during Saturday and into Sunday, but minor flooding is continuing in the area.

Vic Emergency said at 7.08am the Broken River at Benalla was at 3.59 metres and falling and likely to remain above the minor flood level of 2.5 metres during Saturday.

It has issued a minor flood warning advising residents in the area to stay informed, to monitor local conditions and remain alert.

UPDATE, Saturday, 7.40am: Collection points for those needing sandbags in Shepparton and Mooroopna open at 8am

UPDATE, Saturday, 7.30am: Emergency warning issued for Rochester, residents urged to move to higher ground

Vic Emergency says widespread major flooding is occurring along the Campaspe River downstream of Lake Eppalock and its tributaries with major flooding occurring at Barnadown and Rochester Town.

River levels are exceeding those experienced during the January 2011 flood event at both Barnadown and Rochester Town.

A relief centre is open at Bendigo Showgrounds, Holmes Street, Bendigo.

UPDATE, Saturday, 7.20am: Murchison residents told it is too late to leave

The Vic Emergency alert has warned major flooding is expected imminently in Murchison.

People should obey SES directions.

UPDATE, Saturday, 7.05am: Kialla West residents told to move to higher ground

A major flood warning has being issued for Seven Creeks downstream of Euroa with people told to move to higher ground.

The Vic Emergency alert says people must act immediately to protect life and property.

Major flooding is expected at Kialla West from this morning with a major peak around 7.1 metres possible tonight.

The Seven Creeks at Kialla West is expected to exceed the major flood level (6.60m) Saturday morning. The river level may peak near 7.10 metres Saturday night.

Moderate flooding has eased at upstream locations along the Seven and Castle Creeks, including Euroa.

Rainfall has eased, and no significant rainfall is forecast during Saturday and into Sunday.

UPDATE, Saturday, 7.00am: Shepparton and Echuca brace for flooding as waters move downstream

Morning all, welcome to the live blog for another day of flood coverage.

We wish you all good luck today and hope everyone stays safe.

After two days of devastating floods in Seymour and Rochester, flood water now moves to Shepparton and Echuca.

Watch and Act advices were put in place on Friday night for parts of Shepparton and Mooroopna.