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AAP
AAP
National
Adrian Black

Busiest month on record for Vic SES

Victoria's State Emergency Service has been inundated with calls during the state's flood crisis.

SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said the outfit responded to almost 13,700 calls for help in October, eclipsing the June 2021 record of 10,740 calls.

"October was the busiest month on record for Vic SES volunteers ... off the back of what is now regarded as Victoria's wettest month on record," Mr Wiebusch told reporters at Melbourne's State Control Centre.

He said the flood emergency was far from over, with above-average rainfall expected for at least another six to eight weeks.

Businesses, farmers and not-for-profits reeling from Victoria's floods will be eligible for almost $900 million in state and federal relief.

Grants of up to $50,000 will be available to groups to support recovery efforts, including rebuilding and replacing damaged infrastructure and assets.

More than $22 million has been made available to facilitate the development of recovery plans, provide mental health support and assist in grant applications.

Business chamber and trader groups programs would provide local solutions for business activation, Premier Daniel Andrews said.

"We're making sure flood-affected business owners and communities have the support they need to rebuild and return to trade as quickly and safely as possible," he said on Tuesday.

Recovery grants of up to $200,000 will also be available for medium and large businesses directly impacted.

Primary producers can apply for grants of up to $75,000 offered as part of a recovery support package complementing the existing Primary Producer Concessional Loan Program, announced last week.

Flood-affected sport and recreational clubs will be eligible for a $5000 recovery grant.

Assistance received via Victoria's existing $5000 Small Business Immediate Flood Relief and $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Relief programs will be included in the amounts available through the latest grants.

Although conditions are temporarily easing, almost 90 emergency warnings are current across Victoria.

Evacuation warnings are in place at Echuca on the Murray River, where Mr Wiebusch said major flooding was expected to continue until at least Sunday or early next week.

The Murray River at Swan Hill is expected to reach the major flood level later this week and VICSES, the Country Fire Authority and the Australian Defence Force have been working with local government and community groups on a major sandbagging and doorknocking effort.

"The main town centre of Swan Hill is not at risk. It's those areas immediately in and around the Murray River that are at risk of major flooding later this week," Mr Wiebusch said.

A gastroenteritis alert has also been issued for residents in border towns along the river due to contaminated stagnant floodwater.

Tallangatta Creek's flood level has been downgraded to moderate, but Mr Wiebusch said already sodden conditions meant relatively small amounts of rain could result in higher moderate or major flood levels.

"We're likely to see moderate flooding at Jingellic overnight tonight and that will flow through to Albury Wodonga and also down to Yarrawonga and Tocumwal in the coming days," he said.

"And that's all as a result of rainfall in NSW in the last 24 to 48 hours."

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