The Maribyrnong Community Centre has been established as a relief centre for those affected by the major flooding event at Maribyrnong River with a number of streets in Maribyrnong issued with warnings to evacuate.
Raleigh Road, Maribyrnong is closed at Van Ness Avenue due to the rising Maribyrnong River. As the river continues to rise, more roads are likely to close.
The 82 and 57 tram services have been disrupted.
The following properties were recommended to evacuate:
7 Burton Crescent, Maribyrnong;
15 Burton Crescent Maribyrnong;
17 and 21 Chifley Drive Maribyrnong;
3,5,7,9, 18 and 20 Clyde Street Drive Maribyrnong;
10 and 12 Duffy Street Maribyrnong;
2 Ensign Street Maribyrnong;
12 Leopold Street Maribyrnong;
2 Units 1-6/4, Units 1-6/6, 7-9, 11 and Units 1-9/12 Navigation Street Maribyrnong;
2,3,8 and 9 Oakland Street Maribyrnong;
32, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41-45 and 42 Raleigh Road Maribyrnong;
5 Chifley Drive, Maribyrnong;
13 & 25 Clyde Street Maribyrnong;
Units 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5,6, 7, 8/ 3 & 4 Clyde Street Maribyrnong:
1, 5, 10 Navigator Street Maribyrnong:
2 & Units 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Newstead Street Maribyrnong 26 Raleigh Road Maribyrnong;
1 The Esplanade Maribyrnong; and
25 Van Ness Avenue Maribyrnong.
Details: emergency.vic.gov.au/respond or traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au
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UPDATE 5:20pm
Maribyrnong council staff, members of the State Emergency Service, members of the Salvation Army and representatives from other key bodies have been providing much-needed support to Maribyrnong residents who had to evacuate from their houses during last night and this morning’s flooding event out of the Maribyrnong Community Centre on Randall Street.
A major flood warning was issued at about 2.30am as a result of significant rain in the upper ends of the catchment coinciding with high tide.
Up to 224 millimetres fell across Victoria with an average of 45 millimetres in the Maribyrnong River catchment since 9am on Thursday, October 13.
About 60 properties in Maribyrnong have been impacted along Burton Crescent, Clyde Street, Duffy Street, Ensign Street, Leopold Street, Navigation Street, Oakland Street, Raleigh Road, The Esplanade and Van Ness Avenue.
Authorities have closed off the Raleigh Road Bridge is closed and the Raleigh Road Activity Centre, a Maribyrnong council building, has also been inundated.
VicRoads also closed Smithfield Road and the approaches to the Ballarat Road Bridge near Flemington Racecourse.
Maribyrnong council has begun works to install signage and closing roads as required, including at Van Ness Avenue, Farnsworth Avenue, and Fisher Parade Bridge.
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said the council would continue to work with emergency services to provide the necessary support to those impacted.
“Our community’s safety is the number one priority right now,” he said.
“If you must travel, ensure you are following temporary signage and find alternative routes if you find the road or an underpass is flooded.:
Cr Tran said no one should risk their lives or the lives of others by travelling through flood waters under any circumstances.
“Across the state, emergency services have effected 200 rescues of people who have become trapped by floodwaters,” he said.
“We need to be mindful not to put additional pressure on those working to support us.
“Please stay off the roads where possible and do not enter floodwaters under any circumstances.”
The low-lying area of tidal flats adjacent to the Maribyrnong River has previously flooded, with the earliest event on record in 1906, with flooding also in 1916, 1974 and in 1993.
The 1974 flood caused the most damage to homes, industries and public utilities.
Authorities have said the Maribyrnong River, which reached 4.18 metres at Maribyrnong this morning (over a metre above the Major Flood level of 2.90) has now peaked, with floodwaters starting to recede this afternoon.
However, with further rain forecast and saturated catchments, there would still be a potential risk of further flooding into next week.
The State Government has announced a disaster relief payment to assist individuals and communities that are experiencing, or are likely to experience, hardship in meeting their relief needs as a result of the flood.
One-off flood relief payments of $560 per adult and $280 per child are available for those who had been forced out of their homes to help individuals and families meet immediate and essential needs, like emergency shelter, food, clothing and personal items.
Details: emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au
