It's raining! It's raining!

City's dams surge to 40 per cent
August 24, 2010

A day after the Victorian government announced a welcome easing of water restrictions, Melbourne Water has announced the city's dams have surged to 40 per cent, a mark not seen since November 2007.

....The steady improvement is attributed to a combination of good recent rains, with the state on track to record its wettest year in over a decade, the water-saving efforts of the Melbournians and measures taken by the Victorian government.

Melbourne Water said the good news is expected to continue.

“Given the high volumes of runoff in recent weeks, it's likely that storages will continue to rise over coming weeks,” said water supply manager John Woodland.

"The catchments are quite wet and we're now in the wettest period of the year, so we'd expect to see storages bank more water to build a buffer ahead of the drier, summer months.”

Figures released today by Melbourne Water show storages are holding over 220 billion litres more water than at the same time last year, when they were 27.9% (504.4 billion litres) full.

The news follows yesterday's announcement by Water Minister Tim Holding of a further easing of water restrictions from next Wednesday. From September 1, Melbourne moves to stage two restrictions from stage 3a.

The moves allows people to water their gardens - but not their lawns - with a hose and wash cars with a high-pressure hose, a bucket, watering can or a hose fitted a trigger nozzle. Backyard spas and inflatable children's play pools can be filled and automatic watering systems can be used between midnight and 4am on designated days.

Premier John Brumby said good winter rains and government water supply projects had made the easing possible.

Australians surely are perverse. First they want rain, then there is rain ...

<smooches>

I'm thinking the easing of restrictions has more to do with the looming state election than anything else.:

...and if people use more water it will justify the north east pipeline (currently pumping water from Eildon at full capacity) and the need for the desal plant

Floods, landslides, chaos across state
September 5, 2010

An elderly driver is rescued by SES crews in an inflatable boat after being stranded in his car. Photo: Jeremy Bannister of the Ballarat Courier

VICTORIA, soaked to the brim by its heaviest winter rains in years, was overflowing yesterday.

The floods, the worst in 15 years, caused landslides, flash-flooding and evacuations as residents sought refuge in local high schools and shelters. Hundreds of skiers were stranded at Mount Buller after landslides swept through carparks.

By last night at least 200 residents had been evacuated from the worst-hit areas, including Creswick and Clunes, in the central highlands, after rivers broke their banks, including the Yarrowee at Ballarat, and Creswick creek. ...<cont>

Ah...
I love a flooded country...
Etc

it looks as if the driver wants to hit the rescuer with his cane - i'd keep my distance !

summer seems to have finished early here - a few days ago it was close to 30 c -
tonight 10 c - yikes - i understand there is already some snow in northern canada

Army to evacuate Victorian flood victims
Updated 44 minutes ago

The Defence Force will help evacuate residents in Victoria's north as the flood crisis worsens and scores of homes remain under water.

Floodwaters are expected to rise in Gippsland and the north-east, particularly around Benalla and Wangaratta, in what residents are calling the worst floods in more than a decade.

Hundreds of homes have already been evacuated and residents are taking shelter at the six relief centres that have been set up across the state. ....


Much of the north-eastern part of Victoria has been affected by the floods. (AAP: Raoul Wegat)

Victorian Weather and Warnings
Warnings for Victoria

* Warnings current:
* Coastal Waters Wind Warning for Victorian waters between Wilsons Promontory and 60nm east of Gabo Island,
* Cancellation of Local Waters Wind Warning for Gippsland Lakes, Western Port and Port Phillip,
* Cancellation of Severe Weather Warning for Central, North Central, Alpine Areas, West and South Gippsland, East Gippsland and Northeast forecast districts,
* Flood Watch for Greater Melbourne,
* Flood Watch for Barwon, Hovells Creek and Otway Ranges,
* Flood Watch for North East Victoria,
* Victoria Flood Warning Summary,
* Flood Warning - Mitchell River,
* Flood Warning - Macalister River,
* Flood Warning - Maribyrnong River,
* Flood Warning - Yarra River,
* Flood Warning - Werribee River,
* Flood Warning - Barwon River,
* Flood Warning - Mitta Mitta River,
* Flood Warning - Kiewa River,
* Flood Warning - Ovens and King Rivers,
* Flood Warning - Fifteen Mile Creek,
* Flood Warning - Broken River,
* Flood warning for Seven Creeks / Castle Creek,
* Flood Warning - Goulburn River,
* Flood Warning - Campaspe River,
* Flood Warning - Loddon River,
* Flood Warning - Avoca River,
* Flood Warning - Wimmera River,
* Flood Warning - Murray River,
* Flood Warning - Murray River upstream of Hume Weir,
* Ocean Wind Warning 1 - South Eastern area.