THE major flood level has hit Appin South, south of Kerang, but at least two peaks are still to move down the river that slowly meanders through the Loddon Mallee.
Farmer Greg Whinfield said the water level had risen overnight, but was confident his farm house wouldn’t inundate like 2011.
“Now we just see how long it lasts and where it goes,” the Appin South farmer told the Gannawarra Times.
He and partner Cat have been running on “pure adrenaline” building levee banks around hay sheds and moving more than 1700 sheep, some on boats through floodwater, to higher ground after dark.
But, all the “good crops” during the wetter-than-average spring have made a barrier for water to move through, slowing it down but causing more damage as it disperses across flood country.
“There is more time to prepare, so that’s something,” Greg said.
Cat had to decline an interview on Tuesday night as she helped neighbours move sheep via a boat at nearby Yando.
Greg said there was crop inundated, but sheep were removed from flood country, let stranded on smaller paddocks.
“The crops have plenty of water on them – canola and wheat – they are all affected. We won’t know how they go at the other end.”
In 2011, the Whinfield’s home went under, but with modifications made following that devastation, the house has so far been saved.
“It doesn’t seem to be that long ago … it was supposed to be a one-in-100 year event, now it’s one-in-12.
“It was terrible and we won’t ever forget it.
“We are just pleased it hasn’t got in the house and sheds.”
Greg believed the change in the landscape had played a role in the changing nature of the water beast.
“A lot of the channels have been covered over and gone, some of the flood banks are gone and some are bigger – we just don’t know what it will do,” he said.
The community spirit, Greg said, was “pretty amazing”.
“Everyone puts in for their neighbours,” he said.
Born and bred in the district, Greg said he hadn’t seen a flow until 2011 with the level of flood volume.
“It surprised us all, and now we have had two.”
Greg said there would be enough hay to feed the sheep, but wasn’t concerned about them being in a confined area too long.
“They are eating a lot of hay. They are in condition this time of the year, but instead it’s stress for them.”
