Five hundred homes have flooded, another 500 have been isolated, and at least one person is missing in Victoria.
Torrential rain has affected regional and metropolitan areas alike, while authorities warn sodden catchments will mean weeks of flood risk.
Evacuation orders are in place for the town of Rochester along the Campaspe River, north of Melbourne, the central goldfields town of Carisbrook near Maryborough, Skinners Flat in Wedderburn and Seymour on the Goulburn River.
Strong, fast-moving water from the dam a metre deep was expected to course through Wedderburn via the Calder Highway, authorities said on Friday.
About 70 residents were ordered to leave Maribyrnong in Melbourne….