Mildura residents have woken to flash flooding and soaked paddocks after almost 150 millimetres of rain in 36 hours.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has received more than 440 calls for help statewide in the 24 hours to 1pm today, with the Mildura unit being the busiest.
SES state duty officer Kate Turner said call-outs on Monday morning were predominantly related to flash flooding after 4am.
The Calder Highway has been inundated between Merbein and Wentworth. Â (Supplied)
“Particularly in the last 12 hours or so, we’ve had a big uptick in the number of flood requests for assistance that we’ve had, and for building damage as well from that rain that’s come through,” she said.
“It was a relatively settled night until people started getting up and moving around for work and noticing the kind of damage that’s come through and the amount of water that’s come through overnight as well.”
Flash flooding in Mildura has delayed the grape harvest. (Supplied)
Irymple resident Brett Whitehead said about 30cm of water had flowed under his house, a level he experienced during a similar flood in 2011.
He said he had little warning the rain and flooding was coming.
“We weren’t able to do much,” Mr Whitehead said.Â
“We were able to put a bilge pump in but that won’t do much.”
Brett Whitehead says he had 30cm of floodwaters go through his property. (ABC News: Wade Stephens)
Similar flood levels in 2022 resulted in his house having to be restumped.
“The damage we are expecting this time is probably similar to last time,” he said.
“It’s going to be a fun and interesting time for us.”
The state control centre said several people in Kyabram, west of Shepparton, have also had water enter parts of their homes.
The SES Kyabram Unit has been the second busiest in the state, receiving more than 50 requests for assistance during a two-hour period this morning.Â
Amanda Twynstra (right) and Riley Garth avoid flood waters on McEwen Street, Kyabram. (Supplied: Brew and BBQ)
Mildura’s wettest March day
The rainfall over the past 24 hours has broken the record for Mildura’s wettest March day.
A total of 83mm had fallen since 9am on Sunday, breaking the record of 65.8mm, set the day prior.
From left to right, Kurt Roberts, Jordan Currie, Larry Cricelli, Janette McLaren, filling sandbags. (ABC News: Wade Stephens)
Sandbags are being filled and can be collected at the SES Mildura site on Twelfth street.Â
“In a pinch, the best thing you can do is [use] something like a pillow case and some garden soil,” Ms Turner said.
More than 80mm of rain fell in Mildura between 9am Sunday and Monday. (Supplied: Leonie Thomas)
“It sounds a bit silly but it really is a matter of what you can get on hand as quickly as you possibly can.
“Failing that, it’s things like moving your valuables as high up as possible … really making sure if you’ve got water coming towards your property, that you’ve got a plan and you know what you’re going to do if it does get worse.”
The rain is expected to ease this evening.
Field days cancelled
Meanwhile, the first day of the Wimmera field days in Longrenong has been cancelled due to the weather.
A crew has been working since Monday morning to pump flooded water off the site after an extreme amount of rainfall over the past few days.
Field days president Harry Young said the water level was as deep as a foot in some parts of the venue.
“It’s disappointing but we’ve got to do what’s best for everyone, exhibitors as well they don’t want to be standing in foot of water,” Mr Young said.
“We’re pretty confident the forecast is dry now so we’re hoping to open on Wednesday.”
