The thunderstorms moved through the Northern Country region on Wednesday, July 1, moving into the north-east, with damaging winds and rain hitting the region.
The Kyabram weather station, Echuca-Moama’s closest station, recorded 7.6mm of rain between 5.30pm and 12.30am from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning.
The largest dump of rain, 3.8mm, fell in an eight-minute period from 9.10pm.
The strongest winds, 24km/h northerly, were recorded at the same time.
The storm left some homes along Anderson Rd, Echuca without power, which wasn’t restored for a few hours.
Properties in Girgarre and Merrigum, as well as Shepparton and Murchison, also reportedly lost power.
On the VicEmergency page, there were a number of calls for assistance reporting trees down, including on Echuca-Mitiamo Rd, Echuca, Bangerang Rd, Echuca, the Northern Hwy, near the O’Donnell Rd intersection, and Winter Rd, Girgarre.
SES crews worked through Wednesday night, reportedly attending to a tree which fell on a car at Sturt Rd, Echuca.
A flood watch was issued to areas in central Victoria on Wednesday at 2.42pm, including catchments near Campaspe River.
Another alert was issued on Thursday at 2.10pm warning residents to watch the conditions and stay informed of changes.
Over the 72 hours to 9am Thursday, moderate rainfall was observed in the upper Campaspe catchment with 74.8mm recorded in Heathcote.
Lake Eppalock was 47.7 per cent full by Thursday, with small downstream flows into the Campaspe River.
The Campaspe River at Rochester is at 110.76m AHD as of 1pm Thursday and is not currently likely to reach minor flood level (113.00m AHD).
Further rainfall is forecast for parts of central Victoria Thursday and into Friday with totals of 10 to 15mm forecast.
If rainfall totals are significantly higher than forecast, it is possible that the Campaspe River at Rochester could reach the minor flood level.
The SES advises that people:
If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
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