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Thunderstorms could cause flooding in creeks, streams over the weekend

By Max Stainkamph

Nov 11, 2022

Shepparton Incident Control Centre commander Ray Jasper has concerns thunderstorms this weekend could cause flooding. Photo by Megan Fisher

Streams and creeks may have minor or potentially major flash flooding across the Goulburn Valley this weekend due to expected thunderstorms.

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Shepparton Incident Control Centre commander Ray Jasper said it was impossible to predict where exactly the thunderstorms would hit, but encouraged people to take care if their region received a soaking.

Mr Jasper said thunderstorms and expected rain was unlikely to cause major river rises in larger rivers, but minor rises were expected.

Up to 40mm of rain is expected this weekend and into early next week, but Mr Jasper said “that’s not what’s making us nervous”.

“What is making us nervous is the thunderstorm activity, up to 70mm in a patch in an hour will spike streams to major flooding,” Mr Jasper said.

“Catchments are still saturated so the storms will spike it, we’re running the incident control centre but asking people to be really careful.

“We’re confident the rain will only raise the streams and rivers slightly but we’re asking people to be vigilant.”

He said the water level at McCoys Bridge was yet to recede enough for engineers to inspect the bridge, but he was “reasonably confident” the foundations hadn’t moved.

He said pumping had continued at Barmah with the water level rising slightly overnight, and Barmah would continue to have water for another two weeks.