Anxious Wait In Rochester As Floodwaters Rise

Residents in the northern Victorian town of Rochester face an anxious wait as the floodwaters are expected to peak today.

Despite the increasing floodwater, officials have confirmed that the flood level in Rochester has crested, remaining significantly below the peak reached during the 2022 flood event. 

Leigh Wilson, Chair of the Community Recovery Committee in Rochester, said: “I’m breathing a sigh of relief this morning.” 

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There have been no reports of homes experiencing flooding above floor level.

Floodwaters have inundated numerous township streets, particularly in the CBD’s low-lying areas. 

The local bridge has been closed temporarily due to the rising waters. 

According to Victoria State Emergency Service, the organisation has taken 1,700 calls for assistance since Sunday morning.

Half of those calls were about flooding, and around 430 were about fallen trees.

The river level at Rochester is currently peaking about two centimetres below what had been predicted.

Mr Wilson commended the community’s proactive measures, including extensive sandbagging and preparations.

“There’s been a lot of sandbagging, a lot of preparation, so I think all of that has fallen into place to protect properties as best we can,” Wilson told ABC Radio Melbourne.

Residents are encouraged to stay vigilant as emergency services continue to monitor the situation and work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

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