RESIDENTS and visitors are being urged to remain vigilant about unstable trees on river banks and levees affected by high river levels.
People should exercise caution around trees in these areas and wherever possible avoid parking or camping under them, even once initial floodwaters recede, according to the Victoria State Emergency Service.
Koondrook Primary School was closed this week due to concerns that trees on the nearby Murray River bank may fall on school buildings.
The SES removed one tree and was monitoring the state of several others this week.
Many students stayed home on Monday and some were transported to Kerang Primary School for their lessons.
The entire school group was taken to Kerang by bus on Tuesday and classes were held in spare rooms and the library.
The mobile area resource library van that usually visits Koondrook was also diverted to Kerang.
Wednesday was a scheduled excursion day for the students.
Meanwhile, flooding levels in the Murray River between Barham-Koondrook and Swan Hill remain high.
The Murray River is peaking in the Koondrook area with the water level remaining constant over the last couple of days.
The Incident Control Centre, based at Bendigo, advised that residents in this area can expect to see the high water level remain for a number of days before the river level begins to fall.
The Loddon River has peaked and is falling, with water from this system moving towards Swan Hill via the Little Murray River. There is flooding on the Loddon floodway at Pental Island, which isn’t expected to have substantial impacts on private property.
The Murray River is expected to peak in Swan Hill below the minor flood level with no predicted impacts on urban areas.
Emergency services are continuing to monitor the situation as the flood peaks progress downstream.
Incident controller, Stuart Bales said, “The public are reminded that whilst all our river townships remain open for business, people should be mindful of how they use the river in the coming weeks.
“We encourage visitors to come and enjoy the spectacular Spring conditions of the north-west region but stay informed about local conditions.
“The wet conditions and saturated ground have led to some trees becoming unstable, particularly on river banks and levees. People should exercise caution around trees in these areas and wherever possible avoid parking or camping under them, even once initial floodwaters recede.”
Mr Bales said that boating in floodwaters was dangerous as there can be debris, submerged trees and other hidden dangers not present before the floods or which are normally visible.
“Even experienced river users need to exercise great care,” he said.
Recreational boat users are encouraged to avoid the river in flooded areas as bow waves may damage levees. If there is a need to use boats in these areas users are encouraged to travel at a low speed.
All communities are encouraged to continue to stay update
