Flash flooding impacted communities along the Great Ocean Road on Thursday. Intense rainfall caused water to surge through coastal towns. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 180 millimetres of rain at Mount Cowley. This volume of water fell within a period of four hours.
Emergency services responded to reports of water entering homes and businesses. Floodwaters carried vehicles into the ocean at Wye River. Residents and visitors sought safety as rivers exceeded their banks. No reports of injuries or fatalities exist at this time.
Cars were floating in the ocean
Rainfall Totals Exceed Daily Records
The rain gauge at Mount Cowley recorded 180 millimetres of rain. This figure surpasses the previous daily record of 123.2 millimetres. Most of this rain arrived between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. The intensity of the downpour overwhelmed local drainage systems and estuaries.
Meteorologists attribute the event to high moisture content in the atmosphere. This moisture moved south from Queensland. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji influenced the weather patterns across Victoria. The storm cell moved quickly over the Otway Ranges.
Potentially contaminated floodwaters surged out into the ocean
Impact On Wye River And Separation Creek
Floodwaters inundated the BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park. The Wye River overflowed and carried caravans toward the beach. Mud and debris now cover the grounds of the park. Workers report mud depths of 0.5 metres in some sections.
At Separation Creek, the water destroyed two bridges on a private property. Local resident Peter Jacobs shared his experience. “We missed being killed probably by about 10 seconds … we just ran for our lives basically,” he said. The creek now flows through different sections of his land.
Floodwater swept through the caravan park
Emergency Response And Evacuations
The State Emergency Service issued an emergency warning at 2:30 pm. Authorities told residents in Lorne and Wye River to take shelter. More than 10,000 people received text alerts on their mobile phones. Crews assisted people trapped in caravans and holiday accommodation.
The Surf Coast Shire opened a relief centre at Stribling Reserve. This centre provides food, water, and bedding to displaced individuals. Volunteers from the Salvation Army assist with the distribution of supplies. Many people sought refuge at the local hotel in Wye River.
Area impacted by the flash floods
Road Closures And Transport Disruptions
Authorities closed the Great Ocean Road in both directions. The closure spans the section between Lorne and Skenes Creek. VicTraffic advises motorists to use the Princes Highway as an alternative. Detours through Colac add significant time to travel.
- The Great Ocean Road remains closed between Hird Street and Skenes Creek.
- V/Line coach services bypass the stops at Kennett River and Wye River.
- Crews are assessing bridges for structural damage and safety.
- Landslips remain a risk along the coastal cliffs.
Infrastructure Damage And Power Outages
The floods caused power outages for thousands of homes in the region. Electricity providers work to restore services to affected customers. Floodwaters forced the only supermarket in Lorne to close its doors. Debris and mud block access to several local roads.
Council teams have started repairs on Erskine Falls Road. They are fixing scoured sections of the unsealed road surface. Workers also remove fallen branches and trees from the bitumen. The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority monitors the foreshore areas.
A bridge along the Great Ocean Road
Recovery Efforts Underway
The State Control Centre mobilised SES crews and local fire brigades. Dharni Giri defended the timing of the warnings issued to the public. “It was an unprecedented weather event, and our response was pretty incredible,” she said. Crews continue to assess the damage to public infrastructure.
The Emergency Recovery Hotline is now active for affected residents. People can call 1800 560 760 for assistance and advice. The Red Cross manages a register for people to find loved ones. Clean-up operations will continue throughout the week.
Repairs are underway in Lorne after the flash flooding
Future Weather Outlook
Angus Hynes from the Bureau of Meteorology provided a weather update. “All that rain came in around about four hours, so it was short but it was incredibly sharp,” he said. He indicated that more rain could fall in Gippsland. Conditions should settle across the state by the weekend.
- Rainfall totals may reach 170 millimetres in some parts of Gippsland.
- Winds could reach speeds of 90 kilometres per hour in exposed areas.
- River levels remain high in the Otway catchments.
- Authorities urge residents to monitor the VicEmergency app for updates.
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Tourism And Economic Impact
The timing of the floods coincides with the peak tourism season. Local businesses face disruptions during their busiest period of the year. The closure of the Great Ocean Road prevents visitors from reaching attractions. Operators expect significant economic repercussions from the event.
The Great Ocean Road remains a primary destination for international visitors. Damage to the road surface requires immediate attention from transport departments. Officials will provide further updates during community meetings. The resilience of the community remains a focus for recovery teams.
