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Record rain triggers major flooding in Victoria

Ben Domensino, Saturday December 2, 2017 - 17:24 AEDT

An unprecedented rainfall event in parts of northern Victoria has caused moderate to major flooding in some of the state's rivers systems this weekend.

A slow-moving low pressure trough and associated low pressure system interacting with a feed of tropical moisture have produced the record-breaking deluge during the past two days.

The heaviest falls during the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday occurred over northern and northeastern districts of Victoria. Mt Wombat received 186mm during this time and has collected about 200mm during the last two days combined.

Lake Eildon's 148.6mm during the 24 hours to 9am today was its heaviest daily rainfall on record for any month, with data available back to 1887. This is also more than two and a half times their entire monthly average at this time of year.

New daily rainfall records were also set in Echuca (123mm) and Strathbogie (164.6mm), both of which have data available going back more than a century.

As of 5pm AEDT, major flood warnings were in place for the Ovens and King Rivers and the Seven and Castle Creeks. A plethora of minor and moderate flood warnings were also in place for other rivers in the state's north and northeast.

Melbourne has missed out on the heaviest falls so far from this system, although the city will receive more rain and possibly storms between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Falls may be heavy enough during this time to produce flash flooding.

Coldstream's 50mm during the 24 hours to 9am on Saturday was its highest daily total in five years.

You can view the latest severe weather, thunderstorm and flood warnings here: http://www.weatherzone.com.au/warnings.jsp

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2017

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