Gastro warning for Victorian towns

Victorian authorities are warning residents living near floodwaters to be wary of a potential gastroenteritis outbreak due to sewage overflow.

The dire health warning was issued on Sunday as residents begin to try and clean up in the aftermath of the disastrous weather event.

“Floodwaters may contain sewage and other toxic waste and can also overflow into your home,” a statement on the VicEmergency website said.

“Contact with sewage can make people sick, so clean and disinfect any impacted areas.”

Murray River residents raised concerns this week that waterways have become contaminated due to a foul smell emanating from the stagnant floodwater.

People living in flood-affected areas are being reminded to only drink or wash in water that’s known to be clean.

Thousands of people have been displaced in the major flooding that has ravaged Victoria and destroyed hundreds of homes. Unfortunately, the bad news looks set to continue for weary residents.

A severe weather warning has been issued for Sunday night across southern Victoria from the South Australia border to Gippsland.

Damaging northerly winds of up to 65 km/h are expected across the state and residents are urged to avoid travel and stay indoors if possible.

An evacuation warning was issued for parts of Echuca and Echuca Village in regional Victoria at 6pm on Saturday.

Major flooding peaked at 94.98m on Wednesday night – higher than 1975 and 1993 major flood levels.

There are currently 16 other watch and act warnings across Victoria.

FLOOD WARNINGS

• Echuca and Echuca Village (evacuate now)
• Loddon River downstream from Kerang (avoid the flooded area)
• Latrobe River Yallourn to Traralgon Creek (avoid the flooded area)
• Loddon River Loddon Weir to Kerang (avoid the flooded area)
• The Goulburn River downstream of Lake Eildon and at Seymour (prepare now)
• Seven Creeks downstream of Euroa (avoid the flooded area)
• Campaspe River downstream of Rochester (avoid the flooded area)
• Wharparilla (move to higher ground)

• The King River (avoid the flood area)
• Owens River downstream of Rocky Point (avoid the flooded area)
• Yarra River from Coldstream to Warrandyte (avoid the flooded area)
• Yarra River from Millgrove to Coldstream (avoid the flooded area)
• Murray River downstream of Tocumwal to Barham (move to higher ground)
• Torrumbarry to Leitchville (move to higher ground)
• The Broken Creek at Walsh’s Bridge (prepare now)
• Bunbartha, Kaarimba and Mundoona (avoid the flooded area)
• Bogong, Falls Creek (landslide)