Hundreds of locals and holidaymakers displaced after Great Ocean Road flash floods

About 400 people were displaced, multiple cars were swept into the ocean and one emergency alert message was sent to 10,000 people after severe thunderstorms triggered chaotic flash flooding across Lorne, Wye River, Kennett River and Separation Creek on Thursday afternoon.

Strong currents: The Erskine and Cumberland rivers burst their banks during the severe storm event, which dropped more than 180 millimetres of rain over the region in a four-hour period. 

The force of the flooding was extreme, collecting cars, caravans and debris and pushing vehicles into the ocean.

As of Friday afternoon, emergency crews remained on the ground conducting impact assessments and clearing debris. 

Bushfires still burning: The heavy rain came just six days after catastrophic bushfires razed the nearby Otways region - a bushfire at Carlisle River, 80km west of Lorne, is still burning as of Friday afternoon.

Not safe to return: The Great Ocean Road is closed between Skenes Creek Road and Hird Street in Lorne, and authorities have warned it is still not safe for residents or holidaymakers to return to impacted caravan parks.

“At about 12:40pm the Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning,” Dharni Giri from the State Control Centre said. 

A Watch and Act alert followed at 12:58pm for Wye River, Kennett River, Cumberland River and Lorne, before the situation escalated rapidly. 

“That was then upgraded to an emergency warning at 2:36pm, with more than 10,000 people in the impacted areas receiving an emergency alert text message,” Giri said.

Extensive damage: Giri said responders were “aware of dozens of vehicles, including cars and caravans, currently being impacted by the flood water”.

The Lorne SES unit received 24 call-outs from midday on Thursday to 2pm on Friday, making it the busiest unit in the region, with the Otway unit also deployed.

While the immediate flash flood threat has eased, Giri stressed the area remains hazardous, with mud, debris, damaged roads, fallen trees and structurally compromised bridges. 

The Cumberland River bridge is still undergoing structural assessments after vehicles were pushed against it.

Road remains closed: Residents are currently being allowed in only to collect belongings. 

“It’s not yet in a position for those residents to go back and continue enjoying those caravan parks,” Giri said, adding that Emergency Recovery Victoria will support cleanup and restoration efforts.

Authorities are also warning of hazardous surf conditions on Saturday, with wave heights of two to three metres expected. 

Holidaymakers are urged to check the VicEmergency and VicTraffic platforms for updates. “Although the risk has subdued … it’s not quite over,” Giri said.

Header image credit: Justinita Cameralleri