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By LYALL JOHNSON and DAVID ADAMS, The Age Australia
Victoria
can expect a break in the dismal weather that has led to
hundreds of houses being hit by flash flooding and thousands
of motorists being stranded.
The
Bureau of Meteorology forecast a fine to mild Anzac Day
with a top of 19 degrees. Only light drizzle was expected
last night.
But
officials announced yesterday that the Anzac Day race meeting
would be moved from Flemington to Moonee Valley because
of the state of the track after rain.
In one
of the wettest three-day periods in 25 years, from Saturday
to yesterday, more than 100 millimetres of rain fell on
Melbourne. More than double that was recorded along the
west coast at Aireys Inlet.
The
deluge effectively cut Melbourne off from Victoria's second-biggest
city, Geelong, after the Princes Freeway was closed at 3am
due to flooding. Police last night reopened the Geelong-bound
section of the freeway but Melbourne-bound lanes remain
closed until today.
Motorists
travelling between the cities yesterday were forced to take
lengthy diversions via the Midland and Western Highways.
Much
of the state reported flooding. The Otway Ranges in the
south-west, the Mornington Peninsula, south-east of Melbourne,
and eastern Victoria were among the hardest hit.
The
State Emergency Service yesterday said more than 400 volunteers
had responded to more than 1000 calls since the rain began.
SES
media director Peter Cocks warned people not to enter flooded
areas. "Floods are serious and people have been killed
in floodwaters, so it is imperative that you avoid entering
floodwater unless you are absolutely certain it is safe
to do so," Mr Cocks said.
The
RACV reported more than 9000 calls by 5pm yesterday, after
a record 15,000 calls on Monday.
RACV
spokesman John Rees said resources were stretched by the
demand and some motorists had to wait up to five hours for
help.
"It
might sound a long time but you have to remember there have
been 9000 calls in less than 24 hours. We are doing the
best we can," Mr Rees said.
He said
motorists should be extra cautious in the wet, drive slowly
and allow extra stopping distance.
Despite
morning fog and 83 millimetres of rain, Melbourne Airport
reported no problems.
In Geelong,
the Barwon River continued to rise over its banks. It was
expected to peak late yesterday at around 3.6 metres its
highest level in five years.
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