mmg.com.au

A new flood guide is available to help Echuca and Rochester residents prepare for the threat of flood in their area.

Created by Victoria SES in partnership with Campaspe Shire and the North Central Catchment Management Authority, the Echuca Local Flood Guide and Rochester Local Flood Guide documents aims to provide residents with a clear understanding of the risk people face from flooding and the steps they can take to prepare.

It also provides residents with information on how flooding works and how flooding has impacted their neighbourhood in the past, as well as the types of information and warnings they can expect both before and during a flood.

SES community resilience co-ordinator Jemma Nesbit-Sackville said the guide included specific, local information that would prove invaluable both before and during an emergency.

‘‘Our experience shows that people who are prepared for flooding suffer fewer ill effects and bounce back more quickly,’’ she said.

‘‘SES volunteers work tirelessly to support the Echuca community in any emergency, but we can’t be everywhere.

‘‘Flash flooding in particular can be caused by heavy rain with little or no notice, so its vital that everyone is properly prepared for the worst, and the best way to do that is by reading your local flood guide.’’

Ms Nesbit-Sackville said Echuca faced the risk of flooding due to the meeting of three major rivers — the Murray River to the north, the Campaspe River to the west and the Goulburn River which joins the Murray in the north-east.

The guide will also include information on how to prepare an emergency kit and plan, what to do both before and after a flood and who to contact for assistance and information, including how the SES can and will help.

The flood guides were released on November 23 and will be distributed to residents at risk of flood in the new year.

All current local flood guides, including the Echuca guide, can be found in the FloodSafe section of the Victoria SES website at www.ses.vic.gov.au