Live blog, October 16: Volunteers needed at Shepparton Showgrounds; McCoys Bridge shut

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.

The state of play early in Shepparton from early this morning can be found here.

For those in Echuca, rolling coverage is being updated here:

UPDATE, 9pm: Signing off

The Shepparton Showgrounds is still looking for volunteers to help fill sandbags and is open until midnight tonight.

City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali described it as “one last push”.

As I leave you, the Goulburn River sits at 12m, the Broken River at Orrvale is at 8.28m and peaking and Seven Creeks at 7.05m at Kialla West.

Goodnight all, Shepp News team is signing off for the day and we’ll be back on board tomorrow. Stay safe.

UPDATE, 8.20pm: Minister in Seymour

Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell was in Seymour today having a chat with Federal Minister for Emergency Services Murray Watt.

Have a watch here.

UPDATE, 8.10pm: McCoys bridge shut

Mccoys Bridge in Nathalia has shut at 8pm, police are on the bridge stopping traffic.

UPDATE, 8.05pm: Four generators are coming

Powercor will be connecting four generation place in various locations — largely in Tatura.

Power can only be restored at the Mooroopna subsation once the water levels have subsided.

"We do expect this to be prolonged," Powercower spokesperson Emma Tyner said.

"What we need is for those water levels to drop, that will allow us to pump water out of the zone substation, and start cleaning up, inspecting and re-energizing.

"This will be a prolonged outage over multiple days."

UPDATE, 7.55pm: And now for something completely different.

On Saturday afternoon, among the chaos and bedlam of the Broken River rising and tourists coming to gawk at the water, a normal sound echoed above everything in Shepparton.

It was possibly the most iconic Saturday morning sound: the buzz of a lanwmower.

Our deputy editor Max Stainkamph simply had to investigate. Read on for more.

UPDATE, 7.40pm: Photos across the region

UPDATE, 7.15pm: Power in Mooroopna and surrounding areas

We’ve received an update from Powercor:

"Earlier today we had around 5950 customers without power," Powercower spokesperson Emma Tyner said.

"Through things like switching homes and businesses to other parts of the network, we've been able to reduce that to 4630 homes.

"In order to get more homes back on power we've had to temporarily take off a number of homes, it means that currently in Mooroopna and surrounding areas there are 8743 customers who are without power, but a significant number of those are temporary and are expected to come back on by about 7:30pm.

"There will still be a significant number of customers who will experience a multi-day outage."

UPDATE, 7.05pm: Bohjass ready to lend a helping hand

Jonelle Arnold and Travis Brand, owners of Bohjass Restaurant and Wine Bar on Wyndham St, said they'd be doing their bit in helping out with flood relief when the time comes.

“It's been so nice to see the way the community has pulled together and supports each other,” Arnold said.

“You just hope that everyone stays safe.”

The pair took ownership of the bar five months ago, and said they would provide flood relief where they can.

“When everyone gets back on track, we’ll work out some flood relief, something to give back to the community,” Brand said.

UPDATE, 6.50pm: Scenes around town

Shoot me through your images across the region to caitlyn.grant@mmg.com.au

Senior reporter Anna McGuinness is down by the Parklake on Wyndham St in Shepparton, this is the current flood level.

Senior reporter Monique Preston also sent this one in from The Boulevard, it’s reported most houses backing onto the river have had water go through them at this stage.

UPDATE, 6.40pm: Powercor text

A small update, the Powercor text was received by our editor who is situated in Kialla.

I am trying to source which areas it applies to but am having little luck, will keep you all updated.

UPDATE, 6.30pm: Haven for pets

GV Kennels and Cattery owner Jody Hafey has been taking in people's pets and housing them for free at her Congupna facility.

She was flat out from 4am this morning, with people dropping off pets to keep them safe and dry from flooding in Shepparton.

The facility is still taking pets and Ms Hafey and her staff have even been picking some from Shepparton when people do not have cars to bring them themselves.

If you want to take your pet to GV Kennels and Cattery, give Jody a call on 0419 114 394.

UPDATE, 6.10pm: Updates across the region

Powercor has sent a text at 5.50pm stating a temporary power outage is imminent.

It reads: To manage overloads and enable us to safely get more customers in the area back on supply, you may experience a temporary outage tonight for approximately 90 minutes. Please prepare accordingly.

UPDATE, 5.50pm: Goulburn still rising

The Goulburn River at Shepparton is expected to exceed 12.10 metres at 6pm and peak near 12.2m on Monday morning, it’s currently sitting at 11.98m with major flooding.

Major flooding has peaked at 12m at Murchison, reaching significantly higher than the May 1974 flood.

Major flooding has eased at Seymour with moderate flooding continuing.

UPDATE, 5.30pm: Goulburn Broken Community Flood Intelligence Portal

After an extraordinary level of demand on the Goulburn Broken Community Flood Intelligence Portal, causing the website to crash, technology providers have worked to stabilise the link.

The portal shows where across the region the floods will affect.

Access it here: https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/.../gbfloodintelligenceportal

Additional flood event scenarios are available here:

12.1m: https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/.../gbfloodin.../flood-map/1210

12.2m: https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/.../gbfloodin.../flood-map/1220

12.3m: https://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/.../gbfloodin.../flood-map/1230

UPDATE, 5.10pm: Salvation Army helicopters in supplies

The Salvation Army has just touched down at St George’s Road Victory Park in a helicopter to provide crucial supplies to relief centres across Greater Shepparton.

The City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali was there to accept the drop.

Cr Sali said the drop includes essential supplies of nappies, sheets, blankets, pillows and “all the things that people require when they’ve had to leave under emergency circumstances”.

“Every bit of this important supply is heavily needed, we really appreciate the Salvation Army coming forward and supporting us,” he said.

Cr Sali said there were already around 200 people at the McIntosh relief centre.

He said the peak was still expected to take place past midnight tonight, in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

“We don’t really know what that looks like,” he said.

UPDATE, 4.55pm: Kangaroos stranded in floods

Mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos have become stranded due to rising flood waters, Wildlife Victoria is asking the public to stay away from flooded areas to reduce kangaroos going back into dangerous waters.

“We STRONGLY urge everyone to stay away from the area to reduce the stress to the kangaroos,” a Wildlife Victoria spokesperson said.

“After days of flooding, the roos will be exhausted and if approached will run back into floodwaters and drown.

“They are especially vulnerable as they will be with at-foot and pouch young, some Kangaroos have also been killed after moving out of flood waters and onto roads.”

Call Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service at 03 8400 7300 if you need help with sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife.

UPDATE, 4.35pm: Water remains safe to drink

All treated tap water supplied by Goulburn Valley Water remains safe to drink — Shepparton included.

The GVW treatment plant is still open, water is fully treated and meets all quality regulations.

There are no boil water notices in place for any towns supplied by GVW.

Water quality teams are monitoring the sewer systems in low-lying areas which continue to be affected by flooding inundation – particularly in areas surrounding Gordon Drive Kialla, Rea/Dunrobin St, Shepparton and Broken River Drive, Shepparton.

It is recommended to store 20 to 40 litres of water in containers for drinking in preparation in case an emergency does occur.

We will keep you updated if anything changes.

UPDATE, 4.25pm: No more volunteers needed at GV Health

GV Health has completed the task of sandbagging the hospital after volunteers came to assist earlier this afternoon, no more volunteers are needed at current moment.

UPDATE, 4.10pm: Residents urge drivers to slow down

Residents are feeling frustrated with drivers going for a sticky-beak or tour of flood waters around Shepparton making waves which flood already at-risk houses.

Janine Saxon lives on McGregor Crescent, just off McIntosh St, and said she and some other residents had been on the street trying to get people to slow down.

“Some people don’t realise going fast through water pushes it into everyone else’s houses.”

Have a read here.

UPDATE, 4pm: Flooding continues

Major flooding is currently occurring at Orrvale, the Broken River is peaking at 8.25m and steady.

It is expected to remain above major flood level of 7.9m overnight Sunday into Monday.

The Goulburn River has reached 11.88m and is rising to its peak of 12.2m, expected to reach tomorrow morning.

On a wider scale, since Wednesday, VICSES has received more than 4750 requests for assistance, including more than 500 flood rescues.

UPDATE, 3.45pm: Volunteers sandbag GV Health

Volunteers have taken to GV Health on Graham Street to assist with sandbagging the building after the hospital put a call-out a little under 40 minutes ago.

UPDATE, 3.35pm: Mooroopna too late to leave warning

Parts of Mooroopna have also been hit with a too late to leave warning.

This warning applies particularly to:

From Cemetery Rd south to Huggard Dve including Little Rd down to Echuca Rd around the back of properties on Paisley Cres; along the edge of the Conservation Reserve to the power sub-station then along Echuca Rd to GangeSt; 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

UPDATE, 3.25pm: Too late to leave warning issued

Too late to leave warnings have been issued across Orrvale and locations in Shepparton.

Vic SES said those in the zones who have not evacuated should shelter in the higest location possible.

This warning applies particularly to:

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 Dr then south on the Numurkah Rd to Halpin Cres; then west up to Furze Ave, along Newton St, up to Hicken Cres to Fahey St down to Balaclava Rd across to Gowrie St, up to Allambi St then down to The Boulevard; follow The Boulevard down to Quinan Pde to the Midland Highway down Welsford St to the railway line. North up the railway line to Swallow St then down to Hayes St then down Hare St, Sanderson St, Wilmot Rd, Bradford Rd, Palmer Rd to Broken River Dr. Across to the Goulburn Valley Hwy across to Forest Rd, down to Settlers Dr and across to the Goulburn River.

UPDATE, 3.15pm: Archer Street blocked from Broken River Drive

Archer Street has been shut off from Broken River Drive, Zac Standish reports.

As seen below, people are attempting to make their way through flood waters. We reiterate again, please, please do not walk, wade or drive through flood waters.

If the evident danger wasn’t a deterrent enough, here have also been sightings of snakes in and around the waters.

UPDATE, 3.05pm: Volunteers needed at GV Health

A call out has been placed with us for volunteers to help sandbag at GV Health.

Volunteers have been asked to meet at the main Graham St entrance.

UPDATE, 3pm: Updates across town

Our reporters on the ground have been (safely) making their way across town, this is just in from Parkside Drive in Shepparton North.

Acting sports editor Zac Standish has also been down to Macintosh Street, he said residents have begun forming their own road closures by laying out cones.

News photographer Megan Fisher has just sent in the current state of Balaclava Rd out the front of Gowrie Street Primary School, the road has been closed in this section.

UPDATE, 2.30pm: Foodshare closed

Shepparton FoodShare has been inundated with flood waters.

Executive officer Glenn Peric said the organisation doesn’t know when it will be able to open the factory, he said it could be up to a week.

Read more here.

UPDATE, 2.05pm: Information on relief payment

Anthony Albanese has announced a one-off relief payment available for those affected by the floods in certain areas.

In Victoria, this includes 23 local government areas, Tasmania 17 and NSW, 31.

Those eligible will receive a payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per eligible child.

Payments can be requested via mygov.com.au or by phone at 180 22 66.

It is expected 9000 people will be eligible to apply for the payment.

“We will stand with them and support them,” Daniel Andrews said

UPDATE, 1.50pm: Minister for Emergency Management

Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt is speaking.

He said the Campaspe River is receding at Rochester, though major flood levels are expected to stay for the next few days.

Echuca has evacuation and too late to leave warnings at locations across the region, around 1000 properties are expected to be inundated or surrounded by flood waters.

The Goulburn River, where it converges with the Broken River, Seven and Castles Creeks in Shepparton is going to be the “most significant impact today and into the early hours of tomorrow morning”.

The maximum peak is predicted to happen tomorrow morning at 12.2m.

At this peak, 7300 properties are expected to be surrounded or inundated by flood waters with around 2500 properties flooding above floor level.

If it goes up to 12.3m, 1600 more homes could be under threat of major flooding.

Locations north of Shepparton, including Numurkah, are only predicted to see minor to moderate flooding.

UPDATE, 1.40pm: Anthony Albanese and Daniel Andrews press conference

Anthony Albanese and Daniel Andrews are speaking about the current situation.

The Prime Minister said more than 100 ADF personnel will be deployed to support flood affected areas by the end of today.

UPDATE, 1.35pm: Floods risen at Princess Park

Waters have risen at Princess Park since this morning.

Our photographer Megan Fisher took this video footage at around 8.30 this morning.

For comparison, we’ve just had this video come in of the same location at 12.10pm.

UPDATE, 12.43pm Saturday: Aldi is shut, businesses closing

James Kleeman is in the CBD and has just informed us Aldi has shut along the main street. Most supermarkets are running out of fresh produce.

He’s also spoken to one of the few places still trading.

Owner of Pizza Place on High St — Mohamed Fatelawi. One of the very few businesses in the CBD trading today. "We're just taking it day by day," Fatelawi said.

"We're not sure how far the water is going to get.

"We've sort of got a plan on what to do, we're not sure if it's going to work, but we can only try."

Also — Max and Tyler are signing off on the blog for the day, and we’ll leave you in the very capable (if grubby) little mitts of Caitlyn Grant.

Be safe -Max

UPDATE, 12.30pm: Books getting bagged

Joe and Helen Sofra are sandbagging their business, Collin’s Booksellers on Maude St.

The Sofras have owned the bookstore for 15 years.

“We were up until two in the morning trying to shore up our home and we’ve got a little bit more to do there,” Helen said.

“You feel a little bit guilty not being able to service your customers but I’m sure the understand.

“There’s been people walking past as we’ve been doing this offering to give us a hand and wishing us well.

“Shepp’s a great community, it really is”

UPDATE, 12.25pm: Member for Nicholls

Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said he’d been in contact with government officials including emergency services Minister Murray Wyatt.

Mr Birrell said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was going to Bendigo, and he’d like to see commitments to help residents in Shepparton and Mooroopna once the water recedes and once the damage is done.

He said emergency services were starting to see water recede in Rochester, and “they’re saying we need big, big help”.

“These floods are not just like in 2011, people then were able to help their neighbours, the destruction is so much wider that everyone else is dealing with their own stuff and can’t pitch in,” Mr Birrell said.

“The sooner they can get the clean-up, the less chance of long-lasting damage.”

UPDATE, 12.15pm Sunday: Urgent info

URGENT Mooroopna sandbagging site is now closed due to increasing risk of flooding.

Sandbags will now be available at the Ardmona Resource Recovery Centre from 1pm.

Please note there will be bags and sand but people will need to fill their own.

UPDATE, 12.10pm Sunday: More from Mooroopna

News cadet reporter Patrick Morrow has spoken to Mooroopna resident James Woods, whose house in inundated off Echuca Rd.

"It is a bizarre feeling because right now, it is a beautiful day, and all I can see is water around my place and the street," Mr Woods said.

"We have lost the front of the house. We checked every two hours while walking down to the river with my son and saw it rising and waiting for the worst.

"Our kids have gone through a lot in the last couple of years, from bushfires to COVID and now floods. It is a strange situation that we have gone through".

UPDATE, 12.05pm Sunday: Word from you

Thank you all for your messages and images. We’re trying to keep up with them all and certainly appreciate your help.

Ben in Shepparton North has said that some door-knocking is taking place. I’ll confirm with you when I have his exact location.

Danielle in Tatura lost phone service and had to go to Kyabram to get some.

Daniel Garrard contributed these drone shots of the situation, from around 10am.

UPDATE, noon Sunday: Gauge watch

This from assistant editor Geoff Adams.

“For those watching the river heights of the Goulburn and the tributary creeks like the Seven and Castle Creeks, there is a website which has river gauges,” he said.

“It’s a Bureau of Meteorology site. You can select a graph or a table of figures.

Here’s the link - http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDV60150.html

UPDATE, 11.55am Sunday: Kialla West

Homes in the housing estate opposite Kialla West Primary School are still above water as of noon on Sunday, but the area has been cut off from the rest of the world by flooding over the Goulburn Valley Hwy.

Resident and One FM breakfast host Terri Cowley said she was “stuck”, but safe.

"The whole estate is pretty much fine,“ she said.

“The flood water is still incredibly far from where the river would be.”

More here.

UPDATE, 11.40am Sunday: Update on the situation

Max has been on the phone to as many officials as he can and has an update for you.

There have been 27 water related rescues in the Hume district since midnight, according to the emergency services.

A spokesperson for the Incident Control Centre in Shepparton said most of those 27 evacuations were in the Greater Shepparton area.

She said 50,000 sandbags had been distributed in Shepparton and another 30,000 in Mooroopna in the past few days.

More below at this link.

UPDATE, 11.18am Sunday: Numurkah update

A town hall meeting will be held in Numurkah at 5.30pm Monday night at the Numurkah Town Hall, but at this stage the town is not expected to flood.

“The 2012 flood event was an overland flash flood, at the moment it’s a riverine event which is very different,” a spokesperson for the incident control centre in Shepparton said.

“There is currently no risk the community.”

UPDATE, 11.07am Sunday: Loo worries

From Dave Pinnock in Shepp North

"In Shepp North sewerage system struggling. Toilet struggling to flush.“

UPDATE, 10.55am Sunday: Nathalia flood levee activated

Moira Shire Council says it has activated the Nathalia Levee as a precautionary measure ahead of possible flooding.

The council said on Sunday morning (161022) that works are underway to set up the levee.

“We want to assure the community that this is a precautionary measure and that there is no current warning or risk for the town,” the council said.

More below.

UPDATE, 10.50am Sunday: More former reporters, reporting in

Former News Chief Correspondent Darren Linton has updated us on his property.

“Water entered our property in Wills St 4.30am and we are have watched it steadily creep over half the block,” he said.

“Water now under the house and all we can do is hope the narrow margin between our floorboards and the forecast rise in flood water is maintained.

“It is quite literally a game of inches.

“All we can do is watch and wait. Everyone in the street is in good spirits, the water will go where it wants and when it recedes we will join together to clean up.”

UPDATE, 10.45am Sunday: Loch Garry to be opened at noon

And straight back to what the kids call “doom-scrolling”.

Although this is somewhat welcome news to be fair.

Loch Garry will begin operation at noon today.

Here’s a full copy of the statement.

“GMW would like to alert all Loch Garry Flood Protection Customers that the Goulburn River height has exceeded 10.36 meters at Shepparton,” it read.

“In accordance with the agreed operating procedure, GMW will commence operation of Loch Garry at 12noon Sunday 16 October.

“Loch Garry offers protection to landholders in the lower Goulburn from minor to moderate flooding. GMW is obliged by law to pull bars on the Loch Garry structure when the Goulburn River reaches 10.36m at Shepparton.

“GMW begins to remove bars using the following formula for bar removal:

•24 hours after the Goulburn River Shepparton gauge exceeds 10.36 meters 25 bars are removed for every 31mm rise.

•If the river continues to rise to 10.96 meters then all bars would be removed from the Loch 24 hours after this height was reached.

•The replacement of bars is a reversal of this procedure.“

UPDATE, 10.40am Sunday: An accurate design

Tyler here.

Like most of you, I feel like the constant bombardment of Vic Emergency alerts is becoming mentally draining.

James Sach provided us with a moment of humour to cut through the noise in the from of this photo on Twitter.

Visit Shepparton’s response?

“Some say we nailed the design on this cow.”

I agree.

UPDATE, 10.18: More images of the water around town

News reporters are still making their way around town.

UPDATE, 10.02am Sunday: The view from Mooroopna so far

News editor Tyler Maher is still chasing up what’s happening in Mooroopna and has been able to touch base with some in town.

Check the full story here.

UPDATE, 10am Sunday: Stop driving through flood water

We cannot be clearer. If you’re just going for a drive to have a gander at flood waters — don’t.

If you have to drive through floodwaters to escape your home — go as slowly as possible.

UPDATE, 9.51am Sunday: SES launching boats in North Shepparton

Megan Fisher’s just sent this photo through.

The Prime Minister and Victorian Premier will visit Bendigo and the region west of us in the Goulburn Valley — we’re not sure if they’ll be making their way this week.

UPDATE, 9.49am Sunday: Shepparton sandbag wait

Former News senior journalist and now ABC reporter Rosa Ritchie has just reported the line for sandbags in Shepparton is now up to two hours with the line stretching around the Showgrounds.

If you can volunteer at all, even for half an hour, please do get down.

(Also, I’ve been informed last night I wrote “showbags” were being filled instead of “sandbags”. I obviously apologise for getting people’s hopes up. There might be typos and a few missed words — I apologise, I’m a lil’ bit stressed and just flat out)

UPDATE, 9.44am Sunday: Video from Mooroopna

As I mentioned earlier on the blog, our reporters have all evacuated to Shepparton, meaning we don’t have anyone on the Mooroopna side of the Causeway.

Tyler Maher has just spoken to Dave D’Elia on that side of the river and will have a full update shortly.

UPDATE, 9.32am Sunday: Parkside Dve shut, Mooroopna pictures

I’ve had some more images come into the blog — I’m getting oodles of them but simply don’t have time to put them up this morning.

Anna McGuinness has said Parkside Dve in Shepparton North is mostly shut, while help is also desperately needed in Moooropna if you’re on that side of the river and able to help.

UPDATE, 9.27am Sunday: Echuca updates

After being very regional for a few days, the blog has closed in on Greater Shepparton as the waters rose and our reporters came back before getting cut off from their homes.

Our friends at the Riverine Herald have their own flood and own blog rolling - if you’ve got family or friends there click the link below to keep across what’s happening down there.

UPDATE, 8.57am Sunday: A look across Shepparton

More than 7950 properties across Shepparton, Kialla, Mooroopna and Murchison have been flooded and 6000 are without power on the west side of the river as the Goulburn rose to 11.84m in Shepparton overnight.

Search and Rescue had undertaken five rescue operations, all successfully, on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

UPDATE, 8.23am Sunday: Tatura evacuation centre without power, five rescued

Five people have been rescued across the region overnight, all successfully, while people who need medical assistance west of the Causeway are being encouraged to go to Kyabram.

The Ballantyne relief centre in Tatura, which is housing people from Mooroopna and Murchison, was among the 6000 properties which lost power overnight. Council is working to get a generator there ASAP, if it's not already there.

(EDIT: They did have one overnight, I’ve misread that note)

I’ll have a full wrap in a minute or two.

Also apologies for keeping the Shane Sali post up - there’s a lot happening and I’m just one (very tired and stressed) man trying to stay afloat.

UPDATE, 8.14am Sunday: Some more photos

Anna McGuinnes has sent through this snap of flood waters along Broken River Dve, with flooding all the way up towards Kennedy St in the service road.

Some have brought out the kayaks.

Megan Fisher has also popped some snaps together.

UPDATE, 8.01am Sunday: The view from SAM

I’m in my (newly-evacuated to) home and struggling to wrap my head around these photos coming in.

I’d like to reiterate that as authorities have asked, please do not drive through floodwaters or drive around for a stickybeak or a gander.

UPDATE, 7.59am Sunday: Moving south to the Broken River

Anna McGuinness has spoken to a few residents down near the Broken River.

One resident moved his cars across the road at 12.30am but is now trapped in with water on his driveway and the street, but not yet his home.

He doesn’t think it will get in the house, and said the water rose between 12.30am and 6am.

The Broken River gauge at Orrvale is reading 8.15m and rising, according to the BoM.

UPDATE, 7.35am Sunday: A few photos from around Greater Shepparton

I’ve seen a few photos from across the region on Facebook and thrown them in the gallery below, while Megan Fisher has also got out and about on the ground.

She sent through this video, with the gallery below.

UPDATE, 7.22am Sunday: Up to 8000 properties affected, people urged not to go sightseeing

Shepparton mayor Shane Sali has said more than 8000 properties across Greater Shepparton are impacted by flooding.

He said if people can come to Shepparton Showgrounds and support in any way possible, that would be incredible.

“That comeraderie is also important.”

There are still sandbags available in Shepparton at the Showgrounds between for 7am and 8am this morning and from 7am at the Mooroopna Rec Reserve.

Cr Sali has urged people to stay away from flood water and encouraged people to only go where they need to go, asking people to not go sightseeing.

Additionally, waves from people walking and especially cars moving through floodwater may be the difference between the water getting into a home or not.

“We need to keep that open for emergency services,” he said.

Cr Sali said key emergency services were able to set up on both sides of the river, meaning the situation in Mooroopna is under control with services on both sides of the river.

UPDATE, 7.15am Sunday: Victoria Park Lake is under water

Senior reporter Anna McGuinness has headed down to the lake in Shepparton, with Wyndham St closed at Sobaron St until at least the rail line, from what she can see.

UPDATE, 6.55am Sunday: Power could be out in Mooroopna for ‘days’

Warwick Long on the ABC has just spokent to a Powercor spokesperson.

She said the Mooroopna substation was de-energised early on Sunday morning as a levee around the station was breached and said it was no longer safe to keep it energised.

Some 5954 homes have lost power.

“We put a levee wall in with sandbags and other protective measures but that river has risen to a level where it breached it,” the spokesperson said.

“For safety we evacuated staff.”

The Powercor spokesperson said the substation provided power to 10,000, but Powercor had been able to divert power across the grid.

She said the power would likely be off until water levels recede.

“We are saying to customer that there will be lengthy delays in restoring power but we can’t re-energise that site until the flood water recedes,” she said.

“We think it’ll be days without power, but it’s really dependent on that water level receding. Once it’s safe to get back on site we will do so.”

The SES has just sent a warning that it’s too late to leave for people in Murchison, too, with the river level rising again this morning with major flooding now occurring.

UPDATE, 6.45am Sunday: Where we’re situated this morning

Good morning all, Max Stainkamph back with another day on the live blog.

The flood in Shepparton and Mooroopna is now expecting a 12.2m flood, up from the earlier 12m projection.

As of 6am, the Goulburn River is at 11.8m, and is expected to peak early on Monday.

Vic Emergency’s alerts as of 6.30am Sunday said it is now too late to leave across parts of Shepparton, Mooroopna, Orrvale and Kialla West.

A too late to leave warning was put in place at about 6pm on Saturday, but three hours later it was replaced with a warning urging residents in Shepparton and Orrvale to evacuate.

Too late to leave orders were put back in place in the early hours of Sunday morning. This means it is too late to leave.

The flood is expecting to be as much as 11cm above the 1974 level.

The Causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna shut on Saturday night.

Power is out from Undera to Murchison following flooding affecting the Mooroopna substation.

The ABC was reporting 6000 people without power after flood water began impacting the plant.

I haven’t gone out to see any flood water yet this morning so I don’t know what level the water is at in town.

Bear with me and with the News team today, too — just like you, we’re stressed and exhausted and anxious, and half a dozen of us evacuated our homes yesterday.

We’re expecting to have an update from the incident control centre after their 7.30am handover, and from council about the same time.

Riverine Herald editor Gregor Mactaggart has put together an update on the situation in Echuca and Echuca Village.