Australia Weather News

Mildura residents have woken to flash flooding and soaked paddocks after almost 150 millimetres of rain in 36 hours.

The State Emergency Service has received more than 230 calls for help statewide since Friday, including 100 in the Mildura area.

SES state duty officer Kate Turner said call-outs on Monday morning were predominantly related to flash flooding after 4am.

"Particularly in the last 12 hours or so, we've had a big uptick in the number of flood requests for assistance that we've had, and for building damage as well from that rain that's come through," she said.

"It was a relatively settled night until people started getting up and moving around for work and noticing the kind of damage that's come through and the amount of water that's come through overnight as well."

Irymple resident Brett Whitehead said about 30cm of water had flowed under his house, a level he experienced during a similar flood in 2011.

He said he had little warning the rain and flooding was coming.

“We weren’t able to do much," Mr Whitehead said. 

"We were able to put a bilge pump in but that won’t do much."

Similar flood levels in 2022 resulted in his house having to be restumped.

"The damage we are expecting this time is probably similar to last time," he said.

"It's going to be a fun and interesting time for us."

Mildura's wettest March day

The rainfall over the past 24 hours has broken the record for Mildura's wettest March day.

A total of 83mm had fallen since 9am on Sunday, breaking the record of 65.8mm, set the day prior.

Sandbags are being filled and can be collected at the SES Mildura site on Twelfth street. 

"In a pinch, the best thing you can do is [use] something like a pillow case and some garden soil," Ms Turner said.

"It sounds a bit silly but it really is a matter of what you can get on hand as quickly as you possibly can.

"Failing that, it's things like moving your valuables as high up as possible ... really making sure if you've got water coming towards your property, that you've got a plan and you know what you're going to do if it does get worse."

The rain is expected to ease this evening.

Field days cancelled

Meanwhile, the first day of the Wimmera field days in Longrenong has been cancelled due to the weather.

A crew has been working since Monday morning to pump flooded water off the site after an extreme amount of rainfall over the past few days.

Field days president Harry Young said the water level was as deep as a foot in some parts of the venue.

"It's disappointing but we've got to do what's best for everyone, exhibitors as well they don't want to be standing in foot of water," Mr Young said.

"We're pretty confident the forecast is dry now so we're hoping to open on Wednesday."