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- Premier calls for banks to provide mortgage relief in flooded communities
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‘I’m going to lose my house’: Thousands flee as hundreds of homes swamped
By 9pm on Friday, there were 101 active emergency warnings in place across the state, including evacuation orders for homes near the Maribyrnong River and in Charlton, Benalla, Rochester and Murchison. More than 230 people have been rescued from floodwaters since Wednesday.
In the Melbourne suburb of Maribyrnong, angry residents claimed they were not given enough warning before the Maribyrnong River flooded on Friday morning, exceeding the level of the area’s devastating 1974 floods. At least 60 homes were inundated.
State Emergency Service incident controller John Bates said modelling was “complicated” and water had surged much faster than predicted. “It just came up really fast. And surprisingly fast to all of us.”
In Murchison, a small town east of Shepparton, police dropped Troy Leay off at the local station on Friday afternoon. With him were his two dogs, Diesel and Ripper, and two large bags stuffed with clothing and a few other possessions.
Troy Leay, a resident in Murchison, and his two dogs were evacuated from the flood.Credit:Eddie Jim
Everything else he owns at his five-acre property on the banks of the Goulburn River was now marooned on a shrinking island, inside a house he said was uninsured, where water was almost lapping at his front door.
“I feel distraught,” Leay said. “I’m going to lose my house.”
Read more of our Victorian flood coverage here.
Premier calls for banks to provide mortgage relief in flooded communities
Premier Daniel Andrews has written to the banks asking if they can provide some relief to people in flood zones by deferring mortgage repayments, or other measures available to them.
“Victoria and much of the eastern coast have experienced record rainfalls this week and hundreds of communities are now experiencing or at risk of widespread flooding. Many Victorians have already been evacuated and rising floodwaters are affecting households and businesses,” Andrews said in a statement on Saturday.
Premier Daniel Andrews at the State Control Centre.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
“We anticipate this situation will continue for many weeks as we see extended rainfall in already saturated catchments.
“With the cost of living and interest rates rising, we know many Victorian households are already under significant financial strain – that’s why I’ve written to the big banks asking they consider offering financial relief, like deferring mortgage repayments for those affected by the floods.”
Andrews made the plea to the Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, ANZ, Westpac, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to our coverage of Victoria’s evolving flood situation on Saturday.
Residents of Charlton on the Avoca River have been urged this morning to evacuate their homes due to major flooding expected on Saturday.
Those living in Murchison in Victoria’s north were also told to leave their homes overnight as flooding of the Goulburn River occurred. According to VicEmergency, the Goulburn River in the town is currently at 11.59m and is rising. The river is expected to peak near 12m on Saturday afternoon.
We’re also keeping a close eye on flood developments for Mooroopna and Shepparton this morning . Please stay with us as we bring you the latest from around the state.
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