Storms to smash four states as flood ravaged towns prepare for more rain

The heaviest showers are expected to hit Melbourne and the north eastern parts of the state on Sunday, putting towns back on flood watch.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Murray and Edward rivers at Wakool Junction, Boundary Bend, Euston, Mildura and Wentworth.

The BoM is predicting water could rise higher than the 1975 flood levels.

“Rainfall over the past several weeks has caused renewed and prolonged flooding along the Murray and Edwards Rivers and their tributaries,” the BoM said.

“Along the Murray River at Echuca and Moama, river levels are receding, with major flooding likely to continue until Saturday.

The BoM said moderate flooding is continuing along the Edwards river.

“Further moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast across northern Victoria and southern New South Wales from around Sunday.

“This may cause renewed river level rises and prolonged flooding along the Murray River and its tributaries.”

The T20 World Cup is scheduled to occur tomorrow at the MCG but it’s possible it could be postponed until Monday due to the storms forecast.

Western NSW is also on flood watch this weekend as more wet weather sweeps across the state.

SES assistant commission Nicole Hogan told Today they were undergoing a large supply operation, in Lightning Ridge and Walcott, to ensure isolated residents had the essential supplies they need.

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“We have an area the size of half of Tasmania, so 40,000 square kilometres that is currently isolated in those major townships,” Hogan said.

She said they were watching the weather closely over the next four hours to determine whether they would need to evacuate the townships.

“We are working very closely with communities and have just laid our 1 millionth sandbag over the last 24 hours in support of property protection,” Hogan said.

“There is quite a bit of rain in this system, is our understanding, so we are urging people be vigilant.

“It is likely that the rivers will rise again because of this rain.”

She said it had already been an incredibly tough year for so many people in regards to weather events.

“We know that even if no further rain falls, although we know that is predicted, there will be flooding in parts of within NSW right through to about February.

“So we are working very closely with the community and our volunteers are out there as part of the community in support of what is going to be quite a significant flood season for us.”

The BoM has issued minor to major flood warnings for parts of north west, central west and south west inland rivers from Sunday.