Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria
Note: This Flood Watch provides early advice of possible flooding within the
specified catchments

Flood Watch for Upper Yarra, Bunyip and South Gippsland Catchments

Issued at 10:59 am EST on Wednesday 21 August 2019
Flood Watch Number: 4

Areas of isolated minor flooding may develop across the Upper Yarra, Bunyip and
South Gippsland catchments from Wednesday. A minor flood warning is current for
the Latrobe River.

A strong and unstable west to southwesterly airstream will persist across the
State until Thursday as a series of cold fronts cross southern Victoria.

Catchments are wet from the recent rainfall.

In the 24 hours to 9 am Wednesday, rainfall totals of 5-15 mm were observed
across the flood watch area, with higher totals up to 40 mm were recorded in
the elevated areas.

Stream rises are occurring in some of the catchments as a result of the
observed rainfall.

Up to 5 mm rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Wednesday. A further
15-20 mm are forecast for early Thursday morning.

Showers are expected to clear during Friday.

With observed and forecast rainfall, areas of isolated minor flooding may
develop across the flood watch area from Wednesday.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Traralgon Creek

South Gippsland Rivers

Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek

Yarra River to Coldstream

Flood warnings are current for the following catchments: Latrobe River

The Bureau of Meteorology is continuing to monitor the situation and will issue
catchment specific warnings as required.

See www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings to view the current warnings for Victoria.

For more information on the Flood Watch Service:
http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
Note: This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and
streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to
move to higher ground should flooding develop.

SES advises that all community members should:
Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater, Never allow children to play in
floodwater, Stay away from waterways and stormwater drains during and after
heavy rain, Keep well clear of fallen power lines Be aware that in fire
affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash,
soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for
landslides and debris across roads.

Current Emergency Information is available at http://emergency.vic.gov.au For
emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Current Road and Traffic Information is available at the VicRoads website:
http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

Weather Forecast:
For the latest weather forecast see http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/

River Height and Rainfall information are available on the Bureau of
Meteorology web site at http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/

Flood Warnings and Flood Watches for Victorian Catchments are also available
on: Telephone Weather Service No. 1300 659217.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 11:00 am EST on Thursday 22 August 2019.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for DAMAGING WINDS

For people in East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland and parts of Central, South West, North Central and North East Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:29 am Wednesday, 21 August 2019.

Strong and squally winds near the coast and across the southeast.

Weather Situation:
Westerly winds will strengthen ahead of a cold front which will pass across southern Victoria tonight. Wind will shift squally southwesterly following the front.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 50 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h, are expected about exposed parts of the Gippsland coast, Strzelecki and Otway Ranges and also Alpine areas (above 1200m) today. Wind gusts may reach 110 km/hr in the far east late tonight and Thursday morning.

Tonight, the risk of damaging winds is expected to extend over the Mornington Peninsula, eastern parts of the Central district and the remainder of Gippsland. Winds will ease from the west during Thursday morning and are likely to ease in the far east by late Thursday afternoon.

Locations which may be affected include Frankston, Warragul, Wonthaggi, Morwell, Traralgon, Sale, Moe, Bairnsdale and Orbost.

Strongest wind gusts so far today:

Wilsons Promontory 120km/h 12:41am Wednesday

Gabo Island 96km/h 07:36am Wednesday

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees;
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony;
* Keep clear of fallen power lines;


The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Wednesday.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

Warning to Sheep Graziers
for the North Central, North East, South West, Central, West and South
Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts.

Issued at 9:57 am EST on Wednesday 21 August 2019.

Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and strong
southwesterly winds are expected during Wednesday and Thursday. Areas likely to
be affected include the West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast
districts and parts of the North Central, North East, South West and Central
forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to
these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 5:00 pm EST Wednesday.