Rochester properties are most at risk in a major flood level and while these events are rare, having a plan can reduce the impact when the river does rise.
Hand in hand with the recommendations from the flood study and many upgrades to state-wide emergency service systems the fire and flood agencies use, the issuing of flood warnings have been improved since the January 2011 flood and will be timely, as we saw in the 2016 event.
“Use all of the online tools our town has available to forecast for your own personal situation and make a plan, as you have a lead time of roughly 6-24 hours warning time before the water gets here” Rochester SES Unit Controller Judith Gledhill said.
“It is no different to having a fire plan, you need to think about what you will take and where your family will go, often your flood and fire plan can be very similar, it’s about making sure you know what steps you will need to take in emergency situations, like a major flood level when roads and houses are effected.”
During a flood the SES and council help to coordinate the distribution of sandbags at a designated collection point in town.
Collection points are determined by where the flood is coming from and how quickly it might impact and will be advised through official warning channels like the VicEmergency app and emergency radio broadcasters such as ABC radio.
“When a flood is likely to impact our town Rochester SES and the council will coordinate distribution of sandbags, or you can purchase your own at any time before an event from hardware stores,” Judith said.
“In some cases it might be better to just lift your furniture and leave.
“Preplanning for floods happens every year, much like the CFA reviews their fire season plans, our SES unit looks over our arrangements for floods and make sure they are up-to-date and ready for action.”
Not all houses can be protected by sandbags like weatherboard dwellings that are below the predicted flood levels, as the water may still seep through the floorboards, sometimes it can be better to lift up your furniture and other valuables and evacuate.
You can find out if your property is at risk of flooding by accessing your free property specific flood information from Flood Eye the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s flood information tool at www.nccma.vic.gov.au/flood-eye
If you do not have access to the internet or would like help producing your property report, please phone the North Central Catchment Management Authority on (03) 5448 7124.
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