Emergency workers are sandbagging businesses and homes in flood-hit Lakes Entrance in Victoria's Gippsland region as fears grow that the water level is rising again, pushed by high tides. The State Emergency Service (SES) said 54,000 sandbags had been moved to Gippsland to protect businesses and homes from the area's worst floods in 17 years. Residents of the coastal town of Lakes Entrance fear a return today of up to a metre of water that flowed into the township from the Gippsland Lakes at high tide last night. The coastal lakes are catching water from seven flooded rivers, and the SES is concerned that winds of up to 50kmh could push water from a high tide into the lake system as well. An SES spokeswoman said there were expectations that the water, currently at ankle level, could rise as high as thigh level. All communities on the Gippsland Lakes are being told to be prepared for major flooding at high tide later tonight. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Saturday, 30 June 2007
SES sandbags Lakes Entrance
Emergency workers are sandbagging businesses and homes in flood-hit Lakes Entrance in Victoria's Gippsland region as fears grow that the water level is rising again, pushed by high tides. The State Emergency Service (SES) said 54,000 sandbags had been moved to Gippsland to protect businesses and homes from the area's worst floods in 17 years. Residents of the coastal town of Lakes Entrance fear a return today of up to a metre of water that flowed into the township from the Gippsland Lakes at high tide last night. The coastal lakes are catching water from seven flooded rivers, and the SES is concerned that winds of up to 50kmh could push water from a high tide into the lake system as well. An SES spokeswoman said there were expectations that the water, currently at ankle level, could rise as high as thigh level. All communities on the Gippsland Lakes are being told to be prepared for major flooding at high tide later tonight. (Sydney Morning Herald)