The Loddon Mallee catchment is almost entirely within the Murray-Darling Basin and local floodplains. As a result, the region is prone to flooding and was significantly affected in 2022, with all nine LGAs being eligible for disaster recovery funding. There were also regions impacted by flooding after heavy rain in the 2023/2024 summer.
Learn about the flood history for the area you live in – your local council should be able to help with this
Understand flood predications and what it may mean for your home or business
Put together a household emergency plan and kit
Take the steps in your plan to limit the impacts on your home.
If you plan to leave, leave early before flood waters start to rise
Let your neighbours and family know you are going to leave
Don’t walk, swim or drive through flood waters.
Stay up to date – information and situations are subject to change
Avoid areas that are still flooded
Flood waters and the aftermath can have many impacts on your health and wellbeing.
Risks include food and water safety, structural and electrical damage to your home, mould growth and increased disease risks associated due to contact with contaminated water, and an increase in mosquito numbers.
For more: Emergency information and resources
Floods are very stressful and it is normal to feel overwhelmed and in need of support during or after the event. Speak to your doctor, who will be able to help you access local and community mental health services.
Resources:
Looking after your mental health - Loddon Shire Council
Psychosocial support - Victorian Department of Health
Recovery services, wellbeing and support | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au)
Near-miss experiences and traumatic events - Better Health Channel
Damp conditions and water laying around can create an environment where mosquitoes can breed quickly and in large amounts.
Try not to be bitten by mosquitoes as they can carry a number of diseases.
See Bendigo Health Website - Mosquitoes for more information.
Resources:
Community Communications Kit - Floods and mosquitoes
The damp and moist conditions caused by flooding can cause a lot of mould growth.
Mould is a fungus that is present almost everywhere but grows a lot in wet or moist areas. It is not always easy to recognise: sometimes it looks like fuzz, but can also resemble a stain or discolouration.
When mould spreads, it produces tiny particles called spores which are carried in the air. They can cause health problems when people inhale them.
Common symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheeze, respiratory infections, and it can worsen asthma and allergic conditions. Exposure to mould is particularly risky for those with weakened immune systems, allergies, severe asthma, or other lung diseases.
As soon as you find mould, try to remove it. It can take some effort to do so and the underlying cause of the moist conditions that allowed it to grow should also be addressed. Get advice from your insurance company, and from the Environmental Health section of your local council on how to remove the mould.
Resources:
Mould and your health - Better Health Channel
Factsheet from Department of Health: Microsoft Word - English_After a flood mould and your health factsheet 2021 - FINAL.docx
Mould removal at home - Better Health Channel