Last road out: thousands urged to evacuate as Victoria braces for extreme fire conditions

Fears that bushfires could close the Princes Highway on Monday, a day of extreme fire danger across most of the state, have prompted Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner to urge more than 30,000 holidaymakers to leave East Gippsland while there is still a road out.

"The last road out".

At 6am on Monday morning, there was an emergency warning in place for the out-of-control Wingan River bushfire, which has grown rapidly in size and was threatening the townships of Furnell, Tamboon, Tamboon South and Wingan River.

People in those areas are being told to shelter in place as it is too late to leave.

There is another emergency warning in place for the West Side Barmouth Spur bushfire threatening the townships of Brookville, Dogtown, Double Bridges, Ensay, Holstons, Nunniong, Reedy Flat, Stirling, Tambo Crossing, Timbarra, Wattle Circle.

Read the story from The Age - “Last road out: thousands urged to evacuate as Victoria braces for extreme fire conditions.”

Victoria in April 2018: very warm with below average rainfall

April was drier than average across most of Victoria, particularly in parts of East Gippsland where it was lowest on record. 

For the State as a whole this was the driest April since 1997. Victoria's daytime temperature was second-warmest on record.

Read Bureau of Meteorology report - “Victoria in April 2018: very warm with below average rainfall.”

Heavy rain and flash flooding a low moves down east coast

Age reporter, Daniella Miletic.

Gippsland residents are bracing themselves for damaging winds, heavy rain and flash flooding as a low pressure system moves down the east coast.

Melburnians should also keep their brollies handy and get used to "grey and miserable" weather conditions through to the weekend with forecasts of cold weather and rainy days ahead.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports that there has already been a lot of rain in East Gippsland, with more than 100 millimetres likely to fall by Monday evening in parts of the region. Senior forecaster Keris Arndt said pockets of heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding.

Read Daniella Miletic’s story in the Melbourne Age - “'Grey, miserable' weather ahead: Heavy rains lead to flood warnings in Gippsland.”