RESIDENTS between Colignan, Nangiloc and north to Lambert Island have been told to get ready to evacuate as Murray River flood levels continue to rise.
VicEmergency has issued a watch-and-act notice that states affected residents and businesses should prepare to leave should an evacuation warning be issued.
A minor flood warning has been issued for the Murray River downstream of Liparoo to Red Cliffs, however, the Bureau of Meteorology says major flooding higher than the 1975 flood is occurring at Wakool Junction and is still possible at Boundary Bend, Euston, Mildura and Wentworth.
VicEmergency said some houses in the Colignan, Nangiloc and Lambert Island areas would become surrounded by floodwater or water would start to flood into some homes and sheds, while road access in and out of the communities was likely to be cut, closed by deep floodwater any time from now.
"It is important that you know that this flooding might last for many weeks in this area, as the Murray River will rise, peak and then fall very slowly," the notice said.
"If you live, work or are holidaying in this or surrounding areas, you should prepare, and get ready to evacuate.
"You can leave anytime if you feel unsafe. You do not need to wait for the official evacuation warning.
"Leaving early is always the safest choice. It is safer to leave early and not wait until you are being impacted and travel is dangerous."
The Murray River at Swan Hill peaked on Tuesday with moderate flooding and was falling slowly, while moderate flooding is also occurring at Boundary Bend and Wentworth with minor flooding at Euston and Mildura.
The bureau said further moderate to heavy rainfall across northern Victoria and southern New South Wales at the weekend may cause renewed river level rises and prolonged flooding along the Murray River and its tributaries.
The Murray River at Euston will exceed the major flood level (10.30 metres, 52.10 metres AHD) around November 17 to 19 and may reach about 10.40m (52.20m AHD) around November 21 to 24 with major flooding with further rises possible.
The Murray River at Mildura Weir is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (37.50m AHD) around November 19 to 21 and may exceed the major flood level (38.50m AHD) around November 26 to 30 and may reach 38.60m AHD in early December, with major flooding and further rises possible.
The Murray River at Wentworth may exceed the major flood level (33.88m AHD) between November 26 and 30 and may reach 34.30m AHD around the first week of December with major flooding.
The NSW SES advised people in Wentworth, Dareton, Gol Gol and Buronga areas to expect major flooding.
The SES said current mapping products for the Murray River from Victorian authorities did not portray an accurate picture on Murray River flooding on the NSW side of the river.
It said the maps had been designed to highlight Victorian communities only and the impact of newly created levees in Wentworth were not accurate.
The Bureau of Meteorology provides daily updates on predicted flooding and the NSW SES said it would continue to publish daily warnings about Murray River flooding and the consequences downstream of Mildura.
