Australia: Severe weather forecast for most of Victoria through at least Jan. 10

Severe weather is forecast across most of Victoria through at least Jan. 10. As of the afternoon of Jan. 8, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall across parts of East Gippsland, North East, Central, North Central and West and South Gippsland forecast districts as well as for heavy rain in parts of Northern Country and North East forecast districts. The following flood watches and warnings are in place:

• Major Flood Warning: Campaspe and Goulburn rivers

• Moderate Flood Warning: King River and Fifteen Mile Creek

• Minor Flood Warning: Avoca, Broken, Bunyip, Loddon, Maribyrnong, and Yarra rivers, as well as Seven and Castle creeks

• Flood Watch: Gippsland and Central and Northern Victoria

Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming hours.

Authorities have evacuated residents in Seymour and at caravan parks along the Goulburn River to the Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre due to the risk of the Goulburn River flooding. Officials also moved residents in the township of Yea to the Yea Shire Hall. Floods also caused the evacuation of about 30 homes in Goornong and six homes in Redesdale. Residents near the Campaspe River between Lake Eppalock and Rochester and the Goulburn River from Lake Eildon to Seymour had to move to higher ground early Jan. 8.

Several roads are closed, including the Goulburn Valley Highway near Whiteheads Creek, the Melba Highway between Yea and Glenburn, the Wimmera Highway between Newbridge and Marong, and the McIvor Highway between Bendigo and Heathcote. More information on road closures can be found here. Reports indicate that more than 3,000 people across Victoria were without power early Jan. 8.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger further flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil.

Floodwaters and debris flows may render further bridges or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways.

Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation. Severe weather could also trigger further flight delays and cancellations at regional airports.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and employees' inability to reach work sites. Further electricity and telecommunications service disruptions are possible where significant flooding, strong winds, or landslides impact utility networks.