Flood Watch Issued for Central, Gippsland, and North East Victoria Catchments

Weather Warnings medium BOM · · Central, Gippsland, and North East Victoria

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a flood watch for multiple Victorian river catchments, warning of potential minor to moderate flooding starting Tuesday night.

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued an initial Flood Watch (IDV35010) for parts of the Central, Gippsland, and North East catchments in Victoria. This alert provides early advice of possible flooding within specified catchments due to an approaching weather system.

Affected Areas

The following catchments are likely to be affected by rising water levels:

  • Mitchell River
  • Avon River
  • Macalister River
  • Thomson River
  • Latrobe River
  • Traralgon Creek
  • Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek
  • Yarra River (to Coldstream and downstream of Coldstream)
  • Maribyrnong River
  • Werribee River
  • Kiewa River
  • Ovens and King Rivers
  • Seven and Castle Creeks
  • Goulburn River (upstream of Lake Eildon and Eildon to Seymour)

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning areas should take the following safety precautions:

  • Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous.
  • Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
  • Obey all road closure signs and plan travel to avoid flooded roads.
  • Monitor the ABC and local media for updates as the situation can change quickly.
  • For emergency assistance, call the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Expected Conditions

A frontal system with very high moisture is forecast to move through the state on Tuesday. Rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to develop Tuesday morning and increase in intensity during the afternoon, with moderate to heavy rainfall possible. While catchments are generally dry, rapid creek and river level rises and flash flooding are possible in areas that receive the heaviest falls. Minor to isolated moderate flooding is possible.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 3:25 pm AEDT on Monday, February 23, 2026. Minor to isolated moderate flooding is possible starting Tuesday night. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 2:00 pm AEDT on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Source: BOM Official Notice

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