Deluge sparks flood warnings

Parts of Victoria’s southeast are facing major flood threats as the state braces for more rain, while thousands remain without electricity in southeast Queensland after storms downed power lines. The weather bureau has issued a major flood watch for the Avon and Thompson rivers in Victoria’s southeast. There are moderate flood warnings for the Macalister, Mitchell and Snowy rivers, and minor warnings for at least four other river systems. Floodwaters in Gippsland in Victoria are expected to cause some small communities to be isolated over the weekend. The State Emergency Service has received more than 900 requests for help since the beginning of the storm and rain event on Wednesday, with about 700 relating to fallen trees. Parts of eastern Victoria are likely to record rainfall of 100mm over the weekend, with already saturated areas inundated by 200 to 300mm of rain since Wednesday. Severe thunderstorms are predicted to continue for much of the country’s east coast. Some parts of NSW’s southeast have copped more than 200mm of rain in the past few days, with moderate flood warnings in place for the Snowy and Buchan rivers.