Warning issued as venomous snakes spotted swimming through floodwater

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Authorities have warned anyone thinking about jumping into receding floodwaters to think twice as venomous snakes are being flushed out of their nests.

The warning was issued by the NSW SES Far West Command unit and comes in response to reports of children jumping off the historic Bourke Wharf and into the Darling River, which is in flood.

It is currently snake season and reptiles are out in abundance as they seek to breed and feed, but they’re being displaced by floodwaters.

NSW SES Far West Command unit has issued a warning about snakes and floodwater after receiving reports of children jumping of a wharf into a flooded river. (NSW SES Far West Command Western Zone)

“(They) get flushed out of their riverside winter nests during floods and are looking for something to cling to in the water – including people jumping off wharves,” the unit explained.

“It sounds like a heap of fun, until someone comes unstuck.

“The river is still rising and will be up for a few weeks yet. So be careful, don’t be a goose, stay dry and out of trouble.”

NSW SES currently has 70 flood warnings across the state. Of these, seven are at emergency level.

Aerial pic from drone of McKenzie street Echuca. (Eddie Ovens)

As of 5am there are 60 flood warnings in place across Victoria. (Victoria Emergency)

Similar scenes are playing out in Victoria, which is in the midst of a floods crisis.

There are 60 warnings currently in place across the state, multiple evacuation orders are being issued, and authorities say it could be weeks before the waters fully recede.

This week a Wildlife Victoria volunteer responded to a callout to help a wombat trapped in floodwaters around Ghin Ghin.

A wombat was captured swimming through floodwaters in Echuca. — A wombat was captured swimming through floodwaters along a road in Ghin Ghin. (Wildlife Victoria)

During the rescue they encountered the world’s second most deadly land snake.

“We had to deal with a couple of brown snakes in the area who were also trying to get away from the floods,” Wildlife Victoria told 9news.com.au, adding they managed to save the native marsupial.

“We transported him to our nearby shelter in Yea and got him into a pen with some hay so he could rest.”

In addition to snakes Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) warns floodwater can contain a range contaminants such as human and livestock waste, household waste, industrial and medical hazardous waste and debris like cars and lumber.

They said unless it’s absolutely unavoidable, humans should give floodwater a wide berth.