Important information:
- For life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000)
- If you need emergency help but no lives are at risk, call the SES on 132 500
Parts of the Ararat Rural City Council Municipality have been severely impacted by the recent flood event. Rivers are continuing to rise as a result of last week’s rain with more forecasted for the week ahead. While the rain may have subsided, it’s important to stay vigilant and to be careful if leaving your home.
Many of our local roads and floodways have been closed due to flooding. Please obey signage, and if you reach a closed or flooded road, please seek an alternate route and avoid driving through flood waters.
If it's possible to do so, it's best to avoid travel in the current conditions as there could be debris or a damaged road base below the water line.
That State Emergency Services (SES) advises that all community members should:
- Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater
- Never allow children to play in floodwater
- Stay away from waterways and stormwater drains during and after heavy rain
- Keep well clear of fallen power lines
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
As floodwaters recede, it will take Council crews time to assess the damage to local roads, roadsides, recreation reserves and properties.
Local SES crews, CFA, police, health services, schools, water authorities, Council staff, volunteer organisations and many others are working hard to provide emergency support, relief and assistance to families. Please thank them and assist by reaching out to check on the welfare of family and friends.
VicEmergency has the latest information on flood alerts which can be found here: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
Due to recent rainfall, the following roads are currently closed.
- Ballyrogan Road, Ballyrogan
- Challicum Road, Buangor
- Yalla-Y-Poora Road at the floodway
- Runway Swamp Road, Mininera
- Burrumbeep Boundary Road, Ararat
- Mount William Road, Yalla-Y-Poora
- Geelong Road, south of Ballyrogan Road
Please seek an alternative route where possible and remember - if it’s flooded, forget it.
This page will be updated as information comes to hand. For VicRoads Road closures, please visit VicTraffic.
The Victorian Government has announced Emergency Flood Relief Payments of up to $1,960 per eligible family, including $560 per adult and $280 per child. These are available through a one-off payment to help meet immediate needs including food, shelter, clothing, and medication.
For more information and to apply online visit https://emergencypayments.dffh.vic.gov.au
There is also Australian Government support available if you’ve lost income as a direct result of the October 2022 floods. The Victorian Floods Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment will be available from 2pm on October 20. For more information and application details visit Victorian Floods, October 2022 - Disaster Recovery Allowance
The Victorian Government is supporting primary producers across Victoria affected by the devastating floods to get back in business, with an initial $10,000 payment to primary producers directly affected by the floods to help them clean up, re-establish their properties, and get their businesses up and running again. See Primary Producer Flood Relief Program for details.