Authorities have urged residents in the northern Victorian communities of Shepparton and Echuca to evacuate, as floodwaters surge towards the regional hubs.
Emergency crews have warned the Goulburn River and Campaspe River are reaching major flood levels over the weekend and could affect thousands of properties.
Parts of Shepparton affected by the warning were urged to head to a relief centre at the Shepparton Showgrounds.
The main bridge between Shepparton and Mooroopna, known as the causeway, closed at 6:30pm, separating the twin communities. The Goulburn River will flood the bridge when it reaches 11.6 metres.
In Echuca, residents were urged to check the latest warnings for flooded roads before heading to Bendigo.
On Saturday afternoon, Campaspe Shire Council warned Echuca residents they may not be able to return for up to 10 days.
"Anyone who chooses to stay needs to be prepared to be isolated," the council said.
"Emergency resources will be directed to the greatest need."
On Saturday afternoon, SES deputy incident controller David Tucek warned while the peak in Shepparton was not expected for a few days, people should not wait to leave.
"It's best to go early, before you perhaps make a decision to stay and then ultimately put yourself, your loved ones and then emergency services personnel lives at risk when you get to the point where you call for a flood rescue," he said.
"It's very important when people are moving around the landscape they do not think about going into floodwaters, not to drive through it, not to risk it, it could be the last decision you make."
SES crews have carried out more than 400 water rescues across the state.
Man found dead in flooded Rochester backyard
The orders come after a man was found dead in floodwaters at Rochester, in Victoria's north, where the Campaspe River hit major flood levels.
The 71-year-old man was found in the backyard of his property in High Street around 9:30am.
The property is blocked by floodwaters, and SES crews are trying to gain access to the property.
It is the first death recorded during the current flood crisis.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the man's death would be deeply felt in the community.
"Rochester is a proud local community, a very tight local community and they'll all be, I know, saddened to hear of one of their number passing away," he said.
"It just brings home that this is serious, that this is very, very dangerous and our sympathies are with that family."
A man also died in a single-vehicle crash near Seymour on Saturday afternoon and police were investigating the exact cause of the crash.
Aerial footage from Saturday afternoon showed Rochester's township inundated, with waters rising above floorboard level.
Several buses ferried flood evacuees from the town down to Bendigo.
While some farm animals were safe on higher ground, more than a dozen cows were stuck on a small embankment surrounded by flood waters.
Above-the-floorboards flooding has been recorded in 466 homes across the state, with around 500 properties now isolated by floodwaters, and 344 roads closed.
Up to 100 properties, including around 60 homes, were affected in Melbourne.
Relief centres have been set up in 14 locations, along with 55 sandbag collection points.
"I spoke with the prime minister this morning and he again reiterated the federal government's support for our efforts now and indeed the clean up and recovery," Mr Andrews said.
Charlton in state's north-west under threat
In the state's north-west, the Avoca River was lapping at the boardwalks and houses on its banks on Saturday afternoon.
An evacuation order was issued earlier in the day for the town, with major flooding expected to potentially last for up to five days.
The river was expected to peak on Saturday night, and more than 30 people had already headed to the relief centre at nearby Wycheproof, while others moved to the opposite side of town, above the anticipated flood peak.
Further west, the Richardson River at Donald was expected to reach levels similar to the 2010 floods.
The Wimmera River will also swell in the next couple of days, causing low-end major flooding at Horsham.
Parts of Wangaratta told to evacuate
In the state's north-east, residents in parts of Wangaratta were told to evacuate as flooding threatened properties on Saturday morning.
Emergency authorities doorknocked properties within the Parfitt Road Levee System, which were threatened by major flooding from the Ovens River.
The river reached major flood levels and is likely to remain above major flood level for several days.
The SES said residents who had been asked to evacuate could seek shelter at the Gotafe Cafe in Docker Street, Wangaratta.
Victoria braces for some of the 'largest evacuations' ever seen
Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp warned residents who had evacuated properties not to return to their homes until cleared to do so by emergency authorities.
"You've got this blue flood scenario where you've actually got blue sky and sunshine but you've got this significant risk in relation to the water that's moving down these river systems," he said.
"People are afraid of fire, they should be equally afraid of water. Water kills and what it's also doing is putting our emergency services at risk and it's distracting them from the work that they actually should be doing."
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner David Clayton said there will be a sustained police presence in evacuated areas to ensure there is no looting of properties.
"We anticipate that in coming days, we are going to see some of the largest evacuations that we have ever seen," he said.
"So please, heed those warnings and evacuate when you are asked to."
Murchison residents in shock as town floods
In Murchison, dozens of caravans were flooded as the Goulburn River rose steadily.
By Saturday evening the river had reached 12 metres in the town.
The SES said they had not been able to inspect all flooded properties but estimated between 40 and 50 homes had been flooded.
One of those homes belonged to resident Andrew Stuart-Poynton evacuated his property on Friday, expecting to be able to return on Saturday, but came back to find his house cut off by floodwater.
"When we got the doorknock to say we had to be gone we just thought it's not worth it, go, so we grabbed some clothes and toys, the animals, and we left," he said.
"I've been here for 40 years. I've been here for the last three big floods and it came nowhere near our block so I was just going 'it's another stupid flood, it's not going to happen,' but clearly it did."
Earlier at Seymour, major flooding peaked above the record flood from May 1974, which was 7.64 metres.
Flood risk drops for Victoria's south-west
In Victoria's south-west, residents at Skipton have been allowed to return home to begin cleaning up.
Maree White's home is among the eight residences directly impacted by the flood.
Ms White only moved to Skipton a year ago, and while the damage to her 1800s-era home is significant, it is not as bad as she expected.
"I had visions of it being bulldozed and everything," she said.
"The water was so strong, the current, I just thought it was going to really destroy a lot of things like exterior walls, but it's been pretty good."
The Corangamite Shire has confirmed that in addition to the affected homes, five operating businesses and several community facilities have sustained significant water impact.
The Glenelg Highway at Skipton remains closed to motorists, but pedestrians can now cross the bridge over Mount Emu Creek.
Where to find emergency assistance and information
- For emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500
- If your life is at risk, call triple-O (000) immediately
- You can find the latest Victorian evacuation orders here
- For the latest weather updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology.
Listen to ABC Local Radio for regular updates:
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ABC Melbourne on 774am or online
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Search for a different frequency using the ABC Radio Finder.
