Families caught out as waters swamp houses in inner Melbourne

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Doorknocking in Maribyrnong, Melbourne, got underway at about 4am-5am today, with people being told to leave immediately as their homes were under threat.

But the SES says warnings have been in place for days.

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“We’ve known for several days now the Maribyrnong River was going to be a risk and we’ve had a watch-and-act warning out for several days now on that river and houses were doorknocked there a couple of days ago to alert residents as to the potential,” Tim Wiebusch from the SES said earlier today.

“Now we’re starting to see the major flood level being reached.”

The Yarra River also is bursting its banks, Wiebusch said, though it wasn’t expected to rise as high as the Maribyrnong.

Victoria floods map — Floodwaters are rising near the Melbourne CBD. (9News)

Aerial shots show the rising waters moving up to houses in the Maribyrnong area and surrounding suburbs, just kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, and even threatening to inundate Flemington racecourse.

Homes, shops, service stations, pubs and even stables have been subject to the deluge.

Emergency services are carrying out rescues, including via boat, of people who have been stranded in their houses by the rapidly-rising river.

SES Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the swift rise in the Maribyrnong was due to a combination of 150mm of rain falling upstream, combined with shifting tides.

Victoria floods — A family rescued by the SES in Melbourne. (9News)

Relief centres have been opened in the area, including the Maribyrnong Community Centre, for people to head to after they’ve left their homes.

Crisp said he was hopeful the floods would ultimately recede fairly quickly, but that could still see people barred from returning home for 24 to 48 hours.

The flood is expected to peak later this morning.