Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of Central, Gippsland And North East Catchments
Issued at 12:35 PM AEDT on Tuesday 24 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 2
ISOLATED MINOR TO MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Mitchell River
Avon River
Macalister River
Thomson River
Latrobe River
Traralgon Creek
South Gippsland Rivers
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 01:00 PM AEDT on Wednesday 25 February 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

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

Issued at 12:15 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

Heavy rainfall still expected to develop this afternoon and evening.

Weather Situation
Very high moisture links with a frontal system moving across the state today. Heavy rainfall is expected to develop in response to these conditions ahead of the front this afternoon and evening about the warning area.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of central and eastern Victoria today, during the afternoon and evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 to 60 mm are possible, with higher falls to 70 mm about the ranges. 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 Melbourne, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Traralgon and Wonthaggi.

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 Tuesday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au 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 Central, North Central, West and South Gippsland and parts of Northern Country, North East, Wimmera, East Gippsland, Mallee and South West Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:15 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

Heavy rainfall still expected to develop this afternoon and evening.

Weather Situation
Very high moisture links with a frontal system moving across the state today. Heavy rainfall is expected to develop in response to these conditions ahead of the front this afternoon and evening about the warning area.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, South West, Northern Country, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of central and eastern Victoria today, during the afternoon and evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 to 60 mm are possible, with higher falls to 70 mm about the ranges. 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 Melbourne, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Traralgon and Wonthaggi.

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 Tuesday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria

Warning to Sheep Graziers

for North Central and Central forecast districts

Issued at 10:49 AM EDT on Tuesday 24 February 2026

Warning to Sheep Graziers for the following areas:
North Central and Central forecast districts
Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, very heavy rain and showers and southerly winds are expected during Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the North Central and Central forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 5:00 pm EDT Tuesday.