BOTH lanes of the South Gippsland Highway were still closed, at 9pm tonight, Monday, August 15 as the flooded Lang Lang River continued to empty into Westernport Bay.
Emergency Victoria issued a ‘Flood Advice’ for the Caldermeade area, at the South Gippsland Highway at 3:44pm and flood waters have continued to rise since then.
A spokesperson at the BP/McDonalds Service Station at Caldermeade said the highway had been closed by floodwaters between BP and the big Lang Lang roundabout at Westernport Road.
“They’re detouring traffic down Caldermeade Road and Westernport Road. It’s still flooded.”
Here is the Emergency Vic advice on Monday afternoon:
* Flooding is occurring at South Gippsland Highway, Caldermeade.
* The South Gippsland Highway is closed outbound at Caldermeade Road due to flooding (now closed in both directions at Lang Lang and subject to detour).
* Please follow the direction of emergency services and never drive through flood water.
* Speed has been reduced to 40 kilometres per hour.
* Surrounding roads may also be impacted by across water flooding.
Stay informed - monitor your local conditions and remain alert.
No prior warning
Several social media pages have asked why there was no warning about possible flooding as an East Coast Low rolled through.
From ‘Your Weather Channel’: “Hearing reports of extensive flooding in parts of West and South Gippsland of Victoria however no flood watch or severe weather warning was issued with this low which astounds us.”
The same social media pages issued its own warning five days ago: “Thanks to a cut off low pressure system some parts may see 75mm-150mm with local falls near or over 200mm.”
The site also warned of problems for the Thomson Dam (at 92.2% full with this sort of rainfall.
What you should do if confronted by floodwaters.
* Floodwater is dangerous - never enter floodwater.
* Be prepared to act if your situation changes.
* For more information on road closures go to traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au.
Impacts in your area
* Areas around rivers, streams and drains may be flooded.
* Local roads may be closed, and low bridges may be underwater.
* South Gippsland Highway north bound lane has been closed due to floodwater. For more information on road closures go to traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au.
The next update is expected by Tuesday. August 16 at 3:50pm or as the situation changes.
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
* www.emergency.vic.gov.au
* VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
* VicEmergency app
* Facebook or Twitter (Vicfloods)
* Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
* To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
* If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.