Riverine flooding
Riverine flooding happens when heavy or persistent rain cause a river or creek, such as the Barwon River, to overflow to land, roads and properties. Riverine flooding can leave homes and farms underwater for days or even weeks. Flooded roads impact traffic movement, including for emergency services.
Riverine flooding is rated high risk for Surf Coast Shire.
Storm surge and tsunami
Storm surges and tsunamis both involve the ocean rising suddenly and flooding low-lying coastal areas, though they're caused very differently.
A storm surge is when a storm pushes the ocean level well above a normal tide. It's often the most damaging part of a coastal storm, especially if it lines up with high tide. Our long, low-lying coastline makes this one of the Shire's most serious flood risks.
A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves usually caused by an undersea earthquake. Tsunamis are unlikely here, but would be high-impact if they happened, so it's important to act fast rather than wait for an alert.
Warning signs to watch for include:
- the sea suddenly draining away from the shore
- a sudden and unusual rise in sea level
- strong or unusual ground shaking
If you notice any of these, move to higher ground - or at least inland, away from the shore - straight away.
Both storm surges and tsunamis are rated as high risk for Surf Coast Shire.
Flash flooding
Flash flooding is sudden, fast-rising flooding caused by short, heavy rain. It's different from riverine flooding because it happens in minutes, not hours, and can overwhelm drains and small waterways before people have time to react.
Because it happens so fast, an official warning may not reach you in time - if you see heavy rain or rising water, move to higher ground immediately, don't wait to be told.
Local storms have caused flash flooding across the Shire with little warning. In 2022, sudden flooding forced residents to evacuate from Calvary's Cordelia Grove aged care facility in Anglesea. In 2026, flash flooding at Cumberland River and Erskine River led to evacuation of the caravan park.