Rolling coverage | Seymour and Rochester residents told to evacuate, sandbags available in Shepparton

Keep checking back here throughout the day for updates on the weather situation.

UPDATE, 7.50pm, Monday, January 8: Word from council

Hi all, here’s some updated messaging from the Greater Shepparton City Council.

Also, an updated warning - in watch and act form - for moderate flooding in the Goulburn River between Seymour and Shepparton.

UPDATE, 7pm, Monday, January 8: Goulburn River peaks at Seymour

Just one more thing from the team here.

We just have confirmation that the Goulburn River has peaked at Seymour and is now falling.

It peaked at 6.8m around 4pm and now remains at a moderate flooding level.

It is likely to remain above the moderate level overnight tonight and into tomorrow.

UPDATE, 6pm, Monday, January 8: Some photos from the day

Here’s a visual update from the lens of News journalist - and photographer - Djembe Archibald.

The Goulburn River, Broken River and Seven Creeks are all looking swollen around Shepparton, while there has been plenty of sandbags filled at the Shepparton Showgrounds.

The updates on this particular piece of rolling coverage will likely be sporadic - if at all - overnight, but we will be back on deck in the morning to keep you updated as the situation unfolds.

UPDATE, 5.30pm, Monday, January 8: Rochester update

Rochester residents have been told to evacuate immediately by the latest VicEmergency warnings.

A relief centre has been opened at Echuca South Recreation Reserve for those with nowhere else to go.

The safest route there is via the Northern Hwy, with the road to Bendigo currently closed.

Much of central Rochester is covered by the alert, including;

Baynes St, Bridge Rd, Gray St, High St, Hood St, Lindsay St, Lowry St, Pascoe St, Campaspe St, Doyle St, Echuca Rd, Edward St, Fraser St, Gillies St, George St, Mackay St, Moore St, Priory St and Victoria St.

UPDATE, 5pm, Monday, January 8: More flood warnings

A flood watch has been issued for the Goulburn River downstream of Shepparton.

Widespread minor flooding is expected with isolated moderate and major flooding possible.

UPDATE, 4pm, Monday, January 8: Shepparton sandbag update

Shepparton’s sandbag station at Shepparton Showgrounds has announced it will now open until 8pm tonight.

People have collected about 400 sandbags from the station today so far.

UPDATE, 4pm, Monday, January 8: Rochester and Seymour updates

Here is the wrap of the Emergency Management Victoria press conference - with news that the situation is worsening in Rochester and Seymour, but river levels are expected to peak significantly lower than in October 2022.

Click the link below to read the full story.

UPDATE, 3.10pm, Monday, January 8: Nagambie outlook

Some residents and visitors are currently in the process of evacuating the Nagambie Lakes Caravan Park.

Here is a photo of the Goulburn River at Nagambie from just before 3pm.

UPDATE, 3pm, Monday, January 8: Emergency Management Victoria update

Emergency Management Victoria has provided an update on the severe weather situation across many parts of the state this afternoon.

Among the information was an assessment of the seriousness of the situation in Rochester and Seymour.

While we work on a summary, you can watch the press conference below.

UPDATE, 2.25pm, Monday, January 8: Bureau of Meteorology update

The Bureau has provided a weather update this afternoon.

Watch the video here.

UPDATE, 2pm, Monday, January 8: VicEmergency update

VicEmergency has announced that it will live stream a media conference on the severe weather situation from 2.30pm.

UPDATE, 1.50pm, Monday, January 8: River level watch

Goulburn River

An evacuate now order has been issued for people of Seymour to get out of some parts of town by 6pm today.

At noon, the river was sitting at moderate flood level of 6.2m and was still rising.

At Goulburn Weir, it was 7.12m and rising.

At Murchison it was below minor flood level at 4.35m and rising.

At Shepparton it is sitting steady at this stage at 4.35m – below minor flood level.

Broken River

Minor flooding is likely along the Broken River to Benalla on Monday evening.

At 12.01pm, it was sitting steady below minor flood level at 1.83m.

Minor flood level is 2.5m.

The Broken River at Orrvale is currently sitting below minor flood level at 2.17m.

Seven Creeks

The Seven Creeks at Euroa is sitting at minor flood level.

At 12.01pm the Seven Creeks was sitting steady at 2.84m – above minor flood level of 2.5m.

In Kialla West, it is sitting steady below minor flood level at 2.07m.

UPDATE, 1.12pm, Monday, January 8: Watch and act alert for Rochester residents to move to higher ground

A watch and act move to higher ground major flood warning has been issued for the Campaspe River from Barnadown to Rochester.

VicEmergency says major flooding is possible from Barnadown to Rochester.

Minor flooding is expected at Campaspe Weir on Monday afternoon.

Further rises are possible.

The Campaspe River at Rochester town is currently at 107.81 mAHD and rising, below the minor flood level.

The Campaspe River at Rochester Town is expected to exceed the minor flood level (113.00 mAHD) on Monday evening.

The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (114.00 mAHD) overnight Monday into Tuesday.

The river level may exceed the major flood level (114.50 mAHD) and reach around 114.8 mAHD during Tuesday morning.

VicEmergency says flooding above floor level of a single-story home is likely to occur in many locations.

Main roads and bridges may also be closed due to flooding, and homes may lose services including power, water, sewerage and telephone due to flooding.

Evacuation of some houses may also be required.

VicEmergency is asking people to decide now if they will evacuate.

If you stay or if it is unsafe to leave, make sure you have enough food, drinking water, medications and pet food to survive for three to five days in case you become isolated.

People should also use plugs, sandbags or household items to block toilets, sinks and drains to stop sewerage backflow.

UPDATE, 12.16pm, Monday, January 8: Evacuation in Seymour

An emergency warning has been issued for Seymour to evacuate immediately.

VicEmergency released the evacuation order at 11.50am.

Major flooding is expected in the Seymour area, slightly higher than the 1993 flood level.

Flooding is expected to impact these streets: Emily St, Tierney St, Lesley St, Tallarook St, Wallis St, High St, Elizabeth St, Butler St, Alexander St, Edward St, Station St, Tristan St, Hanna St, Jubilee St, and Industrial Court.

Flooding above floor level is likely to occur.

Kings Park and local river caravan parks will also be impacted.

If you are located in the area listed above, it is recommended you evacuate immediately.

This warning is current to 6pm tonight.

You should travel to a safe location.

Options include a relief centre that has been opened at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre at Chittick Park, or family or friends’ homes located in a safe location, away from flooding.

The safest evacuation route is via Anzac Ave to Chittick Park.

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

If you do not evacuate before 6pm, your property may be isolated or inundated with water and it may be too late to leave.

If you choose to stay, emergency services may not be able to help you.

Stay inside and be aware of changing conditions.

If floodwater comes inside, move to a higher point such as a kitchen bench or second story.

Follow your emergency plan, if you have one.

Contact family members and neighbours to ensure they are aware of the situation, if safe to do so.

UPDATE, 12.10pm, Monday, January 8: A look across the region

Many of the other McPherson Media Group mastheads are currently experiencing heavy rainfall and are preparing for flooding events as well. Click the links below to see updates from Rochester, Benalla and Seymour.

UPDATE, noon, Monday, January 8: A message from Shepparton’s council

City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, and Greater Shepparton City Council director of community and municipal emergency management officer Louise Mitchell, provided an update on the current situation this morning.

You can watch the video below.

UPDATE, 11.39AM, Monday, January 8: Weather warning

It looks like heavy rains could be coming in the next several hours, and they could bring some flash flooding with them.

VicEmergency has put out a severe thunderstorm warning for Northern Country and the North-East.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Locations which may be affected included Shepparton.

Vic Emergency said 61.8mm of rain was recorded in the six hours to 10am at Hilldene, 56.2mm in the six hours to 11am at Tallarook and 56mm in the six hours to 9am at Central Highlands.

UPDATE, 11.25am, Monday, January 8: Sandbag update

News journalists Grace Carter and Djembe Archibald went out the the Shepparton sandbag site this morning at the Shepparton Showgrounds.

At 10am, Greater Shepparton City Council workers and contractors had filled 2000 sandbags and were hoping to fill up to 6000 today.

The sandbag site will remain open until 5pm today.

UPDATE, 10.35am, Monday, January 8: Road closure

For those travelling to or from Melbourne today, you will need to seek an alternate route.

The VicRoads website says both lanes of the Goulburn Valley Hwy are closed at Seymour due to flooding at Whiteheads Creek.

Motorists are reminded never to drive through floodwater.

UPDATE, 10.15am, Monday, January 8: Overnight rainfall figures

While Shepparton did not have a huge amount of rainfall yesterday and last night — with 17mm recorded at Shepparton Airport — the same cannot be said for some towns further upstream on the region’s river systems.

Here’s a little round-up of rainfall figures for towns further upstream in the 24 hours to 9am Monday.

EARLIER, 9.20am, Monday, January 8: Sandbags available in Shepparton

Bureau of Meteorology modelling indicates that we are likely to see flooding start around the Shepparton area, at minor flood levels, from late Tuesday into Wednesday.

A sandbag collection point will be operating in Shepparton today for residents in low-lying areas at risk of flooding.

Greater Shepparton City Council said that through Wednesday we can expect to see moderate flooding, with the potential for low-end major flooding around 11m.

If this scenario eventuates, this is more than a metre less than the level during the October 2022 flood event.

Given the current forecast, worst-case scenarios for low-end major flooding indicate that we may more likely see properties isolated by flooding, rather than inundated properties, the council said.

If properties are isolated, it is likely to impact those in low-lying areas.

A sandbagging collection point has been set up this morning for at-risk residents in low-lying areas in and around Shepparton.

The collection point has moved from its location on Sunday.

Today’s collection will be located at Shepparton Showgrounds in High St — the same location as during the 2022 floods — from 8am to 5pm.

Community members will need to fill their own sandbags at the site.

Council said most homes can be protected by 25 sandbags or less, and the number of sandbags will depend on your local flood risk and availability.