Drains struggle to cope with deluge in Alexandra

HEAVY rain from the storm last Thursday night caused flash flooding from Alexandra to Eildon and Rubicon, with 80mm being recorded at one location in Alexandra.

Alexandra SES and the Murrindindi Shire Council were called to a number of jobs during the night, where blocked drains caused flooding from the heavy continuous rain that fell over two short periods around 9pm and 1am.

Water coming through ceilings from spouting that was blocked and overflowed also caused power circuits to trip.

There was flooding in William, Bon, Shamrock and Peterkin Streets in Alexandra. A ceiling partially collapsed at Rubicon.

Water came right up to the vehicle doors at the Alexandra SES and CFA facility, water was over many roads around Alexandra, SES and Murrindindi Shire Council crews cleaned out gutters and drains blocked by debris being washed by the rain.

A large tree also came down on Whanregarwen Road blocking the entire road near Molesworth early Friday morning.
VICSES Alexandra Unit Controller Peter Weeks spoke about the rainfall, saying that it affected Alexandra and surrounds more because it was continuous and not just a passing shower.

“Between us [Alexandra SES] and council, we were fairly busy during the night. It wasn’t a band of rain moving across, the rain was moving diagonally from the northwest and moved through the area in a continuous line, so it wasn’t just a passing shower.

That was why it caused so many problems, because the rain was continuous,” Peter said.

“There were blocked drains, the drains couldn’t cope and a lot of the streets in Alexandra were completely flooded. There was lots of flooding during the night at Kellock, as the main drainage

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