Australia warns of floods, fires after cars washed away

SYDNEY – Australia’s emergency services warned people on Jan 16 to stay prepared for sudden downpours and dangerous bush fires in the country’s east, after a flash flood swept cars into the sea.

Heavy rain on Jan 15 sent a deluge of water flowing through some parts of the eastern state of Victoria, which is still battling 10 major bush fires.

Photo and video images in local media showed one car rolling around in muddy waters as it was carried along the Wye River south-west of Melbourne.

Two cars were still partially submerged under the ocean waves on Jan 16, a few steps from the sandy coastline.

A local record of 186mm of rain fell in the 24 hours to the morning of Jan 16 in one spot, the state meteorology service said. Most of that fell on Jan 15.

“We have seen severe to extreme heatwave, catastrophic bush fires and now extreme flash flooding in the south-west of the state,” Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch told reporters.

He added: “It really is a timely reminder that communities need to be prepared for all types of emergencies.”

The flash flood cut off the state’s Great Ocean Road and forced up to 300 people to flee, officials said. Many of them were reportedly holidaying at caravan camps. One child was injured and airlifted to hospital.

“It was raining. We were all in the tent playing cards with the gang, then we heard shouting,” camper Matthew Stanhope told The Age newspaper, saying he and his friends ran to a nearby hill.

He added: “It was lightning fast and quiet too. There was no noise, just all of a sudden the water was up.”

Flood risks have since eased in the state.

Victoria declared a state of disaster on Jan 10 after days of

battling bush fires that have razed homes

and killed one person north of Melbourne.

Emergency services said the fires have so far destroyed 289 homes and damaged another 18, as well as hundreds of outbuildings. AFP