It rained and it rained and it........

"The worst flooding in the last 35 years has  threatens millions of people and critical infrastructure in Australia – including Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria."   thanks -  Google Crisis Response -(for further details, photos and video follow this link)

Millions might be a bit over the top, but certainly a large number and the floods are still on going in Victoria.

High intensity rainfall between 12–14 January 2011 caused major flooding across much of the western and central parts of  Victoria. It hasn't rained for 10 days or so, but towns are still being sandbagged and in some cases evacuated. The flood is creeping along at 2-3 kilometers a day.

An overview of floods
Photo Gallery - Queensland floods

Record rain in Bendigo

"Bendigo rainfall record surprises meteorologist

KAREN SWEENEY

08 Dec, 2010 04:00 AM

BENDIGO rainfall records have been broken with storms Monday and showers yesterday bringing totals up to 1024mm for the year.Its been an eventful road to breaking the 1016mm record set in 1973 with parts of the city and surrounding areas flooding multiple times throughout the year.
Bureau of Meteorology climate meteorologist Harvey Stern was surprised by the new record, which comes after more than a decade of drought.
He said the rainfall for the year was double the usual yearly amount and said such falls were unusual following such dry conditions.
A La Nina rainfall event has changed rainfall patterns which could return rainfall to average levels as early as next year.
“We’ve gone into a tropical system,” he said.
“When wind change comes from the north it brings moisture. We have the potential for more rain.”
While returning to average rainfall will benefit the region, Dr Stern said more above average rain would be needed to make up for the long-term rainfall deficiencies as a result of the drought.
“In regard to the drought we monitor the deficiencies. Much of Victoria has lost two years of rain in the last 10 years,” he said."

Bendigo Advertiser 08/12/2010 - Full article
Bendigo Advertiser - Photo Gallery
Bendigo Advertiser - Photo Gallery

Bendigo's big wet continues.

More rain is forecast for the coming week (5/12- 9/12 ) - at this rate we might not see the concreters until the new year!!!!

"Highways and local roads around the towns of Bendigo, Castlemaine and Wedderburn have been cut by flash flooding and fallen trees as a trough brought heavy rain to parts of Victoria."

Hundreds of people gathered at Lake Eppalock to watch water tumble over the dam's spillway for the first time since August 1996.
"It was below 10 per cent (of capacity) earlier this year, but good autumn and winter rains and now the spring rains have filled it"

FLOODWATERS have inundated central Victorian towns and communities after rainfall records were broken in Castlemaine while Bendigo recorded its wettest November in 37 years.
But with catchments overflowing and Lake Eppalock overflowing for the first time since 1996, towns downstream have faced the worst floods in nearly two decades.

Flood water at Bridgewater, after the big rain

7/9/2010

Rolling Bendigo runway 17 - 7:05 AM, 2 degrees, nil wind. A two hour flight out to the west to inspect the flood water at Bridgewater. Not a lot to see, the bulk of the flood water has passed. Beautiful morning in smooth cool (very) air.

Photo Album

Landed at Bridgerwater to warm the body, strip still a bit damp.

Wind had picked up to 6/8 knots by the time I returned and the temperature had risen to a balmy 10 degrees!

A

Great pic. -  flood water at Myrtleford - 05/09/2010