La Niña and flash floods - how to prepare this spring

Every year VICSES volunteers attend thousands of flood and storm incidents, with the public urged to pay attention, prepare, and do the right thing if flooding occurs this spring.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicts high rainfall between September and November, with a La Niña weather pattern underway.

A La Niña can bring extreme conditions, and is a threat to homes, vehicles, and lives. On September 24th, VICSES volunteers, joined by Chief Officer Tim Wiebusch, headed to Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) to demonstrate - using an Olympic sized pool - how little it can take for a car to float and you to be in danger.

Driving through 15cm of water – the length of the average pen - may float your vehicle and make it impossible to control. If this occurs, VICSES and other agencies will inevitably need to assist you.

In order to prevent these situations, VICSES has developed local flood guides for every Victorian region. Residents are encouraged to get familiar with their local guides, and prepare for what could be a very wet spring in 2020.

The guides are available here, and provide more information about the risk of riverine and flash flooding in your area. You can also find out which areas are low lying, and if your region has a local flood warning service.

Remember to never drive through floodwater, and to keep up to date on your local conditions through the Bureau of Meteorology website and the Vic Emergency Map and App.

Images: VICSES volunteers demonstrating the '15 to Float' message at MSAC, and Tim Wiebusch, Chief Officer Victoria State Emergency Service taking part, talking all things spring flood preparedness (September 2020).