SES has developed Local Flood Guides to explain local flood risks for communities at risk. This includes advice for communities on how to prepare and respond to flood events and who to contact in the event of a flood.
SES has also developed Municipal Flood Emergency Plans to prepare, respond to and recover from flood events within Municipality.
Flood history
Officially the 1993 flood is the highest, peaking at 12.98m on the Wangaratta Ovens River flood gauge. During this flood, the Ovens River, King River and 15 Mile Creek overflowed flooding Wangaratta and costing the region $350 million when:
- 516 houses were affected by floodwater.
- $962,000 damage was done to local roads, and bridges were either damaged or destroyed.
- Water and sewerage infrastructure sustained damage.
- Extensive crop and pump were damaged.
- 800 kilometres rural fencing was destroyed.
- Stock losses were experienced through the area.
- Flooding of caravan parks occurred.
- A flood peak in the King River generally happens before a flood peak in the Ovens River. This can give people advanced warning of anticipated flooding from the Ovens River before it occurs.
Households and business should refer to their Local Flood Guide or Wangaratta Flood Emergency Plan for more information.