Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Initial Flood Watch For Parts Of Central, Gippsland And North East Catchments
Issued at 03:25 PM AEDT on Monday 23 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 1
MINOR TO ISOLATED MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM TUESDAY NIGHT

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Mitchell River
Avon River
Macalister River
Thomson River
Latrobe River
Traralgon Creek
Bunyip River and Dandenong Creek
Yarra River to Coldstream
Yarra River downstream of Coldstream
Maribyrnong River
Werribee River
Kiewa River
Ovens and King Rivers
Seven and Castle Creeks
Goulburn River upstream of Lake Eildon
Goulburn River Eildon to Seymour

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 02:00 PM AEDT on Tuesday 24 February 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for Northern Country, North Central and parts of Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Mallee Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:22 pm Monday, 23 February 2026.

Heavy rainfall developing on Tuesday

Weather Situation
Very high moisture links with a frontal system moving through the state on Tuesday. Areas of rainfall and embedded thunderstorms will develop during the morning and increase in the afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Central, Mallee, Northern Country, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for central areas of the state on Tuesday. The risk of heavy rainfall is possible around the western suburbs of Melbourne from Tuesday morning, before becoming more likely as it extends over the eastern suburbs and the remainder of the warning area during the afternoon and evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 70 mm are possible. Conditions are expected to ease during Wednesday morning.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings may be current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Melbourne, Traralgon, Bacchus Marsh, Frankston, Warragul, Euroa, Yarra Glen, and Mansfield.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Monday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for Northern Country, North Central and parts of Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Mallee Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:22 pm Monday, 23 February 2026.

Heavy rainfall developing on Tuesday

Weather Situation
Very high moisture links with a frontal system moving through the state on Tuesday. Areas of rainfall and embedded thunderstorms will develop during the morning and increase in the afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Central, Mallee, Northern Country, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for central areas of the state on Tuesday. The risk of heavy rainfall is possible around the western suburbs of Melbourne from Tuesday morning, before becoming more likely as it extends over the eastern suburbs and the remainder of the warning area during the afternoon and evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 70 mm are possible. Conditions are expected to ease during Wednesday morning.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings may be current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Melbourne, Traralgon, Bacchus Marsh, Frankston, Warragul, Euroa, Yarra Glen, and Mansfield.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Monday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.