Residents asked to know their number

Following the 2013 Rochester Flood Management Plan, North Central Catchment Management Authority and the Rochester SES distributed magnets in 2020 to properties to inform residents of their flood risk.

Many of these magnets were damaged or lost, particularly due to the October 2022 flood event.

During the January 2024 flood event, the data obtained from the 2013 plan proved to be helpful in assessing the risk to each property.

“They could see how valuable that data was because we knew what sort of flood was coming,” volunteer Judith Gledhill said.

“We were able to tell people ‘your house is nowhere near going to get wet because this is your number and that is the number on the bridge’.

“It’s going to be another two years before the flood study is finished and we get the updated data.

“Maybe now, while there’s an appetite, we should reissue the magnets.”

North Central CMA has supported the initiative, which focuses on flood preparedness and gives the organisations a chance to talk through the meaning of each number.

Mrs Gledhill emphasised the need to keep the community aware of flood risks, rather than being in denial.

“Floods are going to keep happening,” she said.

“How often we don’t know, how big we don’t know.

“We need to make people realise that yes, this can happen every year, and you need to be prepared all the time.

“Be prepared, be organised, know what to do, understand your number.”

The number is determined by the North Central CMA’s Flood Eye mapping tool, accessible on its website.

Each property has a predicted flood height when compared to the water level at the Rochester bridge.

While the data can be accessed at any time, the team found that during high-traffic times, like before a flood, the system struggled to keep up with demand. This is where the magnet fits in.

“It gives you information to tell you what your house height is and at what level at the Rochy bridge your house is going to flood at,” Mrs Gledhill said.

“Our theory is, if people have that information, they can already start from there and know whether they have to prepare.”

Every property has a designated magnet that shows these numbers, which volunteers will distribute during the drop-in sessions, which will be held from Saturday, November 9, to Friday, November 15.

Those unable to attend any of the sessions will have their magnets delivered, however volunteers are encouraging as many residents as possible to come in.

Campaspe Shire Council staff will also be there to discuss The First 72 Hours initiative, which encourages emergency planning to be prepared for natural disasters.

The teams will be stationed at the former Commonwealth Bank branch on the corner of Gillies and Moore streets.

Residents can drop in on Saturday, November 9, from 10am to 2pm; Monday, November 11, from 11am to 4pm; Tuesday, November 12, from 8am to 2pm; Wednesday, November 13, from 9am to 2pm; and Thursday, November 14, and Friday, November 15, from 2pm to 7pm.