About the 2010-2011 Victorian Floods

Overview

Throughout the period from September 2010 to March 2011, Victoria experienced some of the most extensive and damaging storm and flood events in its history. In early September 2010, high rainfall, particularly in the west and north-east of the state, resulted in significant riverine flooding and swelling of major rivers. Flash flooding occurred in several regional towns.

In October, flooding developed in the northern catchments of the state, together with heavy rains in central and northeastern Victoria.November saw further downfalls in the north-east and then across the state with major flooding again occurring in the Avoca and Loddon rivers. December brought heavy rainfall across the western and northern areas.

More summer rainfall in January 2011 came on top of ground that was already saturated, creating more severe and widespread flooding events. Extensive rains across two-thirds of the state caused flash flooding, followed by major river flooding in northern, western and central Victoria.

The multi-day rainfall caused the Avoca, Loddon, Wimmera and Campaspe river systems to flood, with waters moving slowly downstream and progressively flooding wide areas of the landscape during January and into February. The impacts were unprecedented for many areas. Further heavy rains fell over much of the state in February, generating flash flooding in the Melbourne metropolitan area and Mildura.

In late March, a severe storm event resulted in significant flash flooding and storm damage to the South Gippsland area, particularly Wilsons Promontory.

These dramatic flood and storm events had widespread impacts across the state, affecting most of Victoria’s 79 municipalities

History of floods in Victoria

On average, major regional flooding occurs somewhere in Victoria every 10 to 20 years. In the last century, major regional floods occurred in 1909, 1916, 1917, 1934, 1956, 1974, 1990, 1993 and 1998.

There are 39 drainage basins across Victoria, with each comprising a number of rivers and streams. These rivers and streams are subject to flooding and travel through and around many towns and communities. These periodical floods sometimes result in significant social and economic consequences for local communities and the state. Many of Victoria’s most significant agricultural areas are also located on the floodplains of most major river systems to take advantage of fertile soils.