As part of that, it is hosting information sessions in communities across the region with the aim of ensuring the public is prepared, should waters rise.
There will be a meeting for Benalla and district on Thursday, September 29 from 5.30pm at the Benalla Senior Citizen’s Centre on Fawckner Drive.
Benalla SES community resiliency officer Sue Sheldrick said the organisation did not want to create a panic, but with weather conditions the way they are, and forecast, it is important to inform the community about what to do, should flooding occur.
“The current condition of our environment has rivers, creeks and dams full,“ Ms Sheldrick said.
“With the forecast of a third La Niña event it means we’ll get more rain than usual for spring.
“So we want to touch base with communities to keep them informed and to explain what they can do to prepare their homes to keep their families safe.”
Ms Sheldrick said a number of things would be discussed at the community meeting.
“We talk about the weather forecast first, and also the condition of local dams,” she said.
“In relation to Lake Nillahcootie it is just over full. It is at 104 per cent.
"With everything being so wet and soggy, if we get further rainfall we’ll get quicker run-offs, but also the floods might be deeper in some areas.
“Then we go through what people can do to be prepared in their homes.”
The meeting will then go through where to go to get official flood warnings.
“Local radio stations are all emergency broadcasters,” she said.
“Then there is the Vic emergency app (and website).
"We advise the public to set up a watch zone on the app so they get a notification on their phone if there is a warning for the community.“
There will also be discussion around the local flood guide which is important for community members to know about.
You can find the Benalla flood guide at www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/flood-guides/benalla-rural-city-council
At the conclusion of SES’ presentations there will be a time for attendees to ask questions.
Alongside SES members the meeting will also feature a representative from the catchment authority, local dam managers, representatives from council, Victoria Police, Ambulance and CFA.
It can be difficult for an organisation like SES to find a balance between issuing flood warnings, which may lead to nothing, and ensuring communities are aware of what might happen — in order to prepare.
Ms Sheldrick said the important thing was to be aware and alert to any potential flooding, but not alarmed.
“I think the difference this year is, in previous years, the dams have had a lot of space for more water,” Ms Sheldrick said.
"That is not the case this year. All our surrounding dams are at, or close to, capacity.”
There is no need to register and the community can simply come along to the flood preparedness meeting at the Senior Citizens’ Centre from 5.30pm on Thursday, September 29.
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