Cars were swept into the ocean after sudden flash flooding tore through the coastal township of Wye River in Victoria, as severe thunderstorms dumped intense rain across the Otways on Thursday.
Dramatic vision shared on social media showed vehicles being dragged by the swollen Wye River towards the beach, with shocked onlookers heard shouting as another car disappeared into the water.
One local, Michelle MacKenzie, who was at the scene, warned people to stay safe after posting that cars from a nearby caravan park had been washed out to sea.
Victoria Police confirmed officers had been called to reports of flash flooding and vehicles being swept away, with local police and the Air Wing deployed to assess the situation.
Emergency authorities issued urgent warnings as the weather system intensified. VicEmergency declared a watch and act alert for parts of the South West district, including areas inland from Lorne, warning the storm was “very dangerous” and capable of producing life-threatening flash flooding over several hours.
At least three cars were reported to have been swept into the ocean, while a popular campground at Wye River was inundated by fast-rising water. Caravan parks along rivers lining the Great Ocean Road were evacuated, including sites at Carlisle River and Cumberland River, with the Lorne Foreshore caravan park also cleared as flooding worsened.
The Great Ocean Road was closed in both directions between Skenes Creek and Wye River, and about 6,500 homes were left without power by mid-afternoon.
Campers described chaotic scenes as the river burst its banks. Melbourne resident Rebecca Scott told The Age that the water surged through the Big4 holiday park shortly after 1pm, forcing people to abandon tents and equipment as floodwaters swallowed campsites and playgrounds. Her escape by car was cut off by rising water, leaving her to evacuate on foot to the local pub.
It is reported that others sheltering nearby described eskies, chairs and debris being swept away as businesses filled with evacuees. Emergency crews, including fire trucks, were stationed throughout the town, and the main bridge across the river was closed as a precaution.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded more than 160 millimetres of rain in parts of the Otways since morning, highlighting the intensity of the downpour. The State Emergency Service warned that floodwaters could rise rapidly and that saturated ground had increased the risk of landslides, urging residents not to drive through floodwater and to call Triple Zero (000) in life-threatening emergencies.
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