Flooding is mainly caused by heavy rainfall that exceeds the capacity of normal water courses and bodies of water.

Flood events can cause severe damage to key infrastructure such as roads and bridges, water, sewerage and electrical assets, as well as possible loss of life and economic losses in affected regions.

Social disruption also occurs, particularly when people are displaced from their homes and normal community facilities are damaged. The immediate impact can endure for weeks, or months if flood waters move or dissipate slowly.

Examples of major flood events include the 2010-11 floods that covered about one-third of Victoria. This is the worst recorded flood event for the state. This event led to a major independent review: The Review of the 2010-11 Flood Warnings and Response.

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Publish year Assurance activity Summary Organisation
2011 Review of the 2010-2011 Flood Warnings & Response (External link) An examination of aspects of flood response and recovery, emergency warnings and evacuations following the 2010-11 floods. The findings of this review helped guide the government’s response and planning to ensure Victoria is better equipped to deal with similarly severe flooding events in the future. Independent
2012 Report of the 2012 North East Victoria Flood Review (External link) This review found that on average about three-quarters of residents surveyed across the flood-affected areas were aware of the flood risk. However, this awareness did not translate strongly into preparedness behaviours. Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner
2012 Inquiry into Flood Mitigation Infrastructure in Victoria (External link) An inquiry into flooding events that mainly affected northern, western and central Victoria, and other areas such as Gippsland which had been flood affected at other times. The inquiry followed the 2010-11 floods and focussed on the views of Victorians affected by flooding throughout the state over time. Parliament of Victoria
2013 Flood Relief and Recovery (External link) An assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of the state’s relief and recovery arrangements in the aftermath of the 2010-11 floods. This report found that a siloed approach and the governance model chosen by government resulted in a fragmented approach to relief and recovery, and that relationships and knowledge at local government level played a very powerful role in determining success of flood relief and recovery in affected communities. Victorian Auditor-General's Office
2017 Review of connecting with and preparing communities for major emergencies in Victoria (External link) A review of engagement programs of Victoria’s two volunteer based statutory bodies, CFA and VICSES, that take a lead role in preparing communities for bushfires, floods and storms. The report makes three recommendations related to improving sector connections with communities to enhance preparedness and resilience for major emergencies. Inspector-General for Emergency Management
2020 VICSES Community Safety Program for flood (External link) A report detailing how VICSES works with communities and partners to achieve more aware, informed and prepared communities; supporting them to understand their flood risk and the relevance of taking action before, during and after emergency events. Victoria State Emergency Service
2020 VICSES Community Safety Program for flood (External link) An overview of the Victoria State Emergency Service Community Safety Program for flood, which demonstrates how VICSES works with communities and partners to achieve more aware, informed and prepared communities; supporting them to understand their flood risk and the relevance of taking action before, during and after emergency events. Victoria State Emergency Service
2022 Community Report - June 2021 Extreme Weather Event (External link) A report that outlines key lessons identified from the extreme weather event of 2021, including what went well and areas for improvement. It aims to ensure that lessons of significance to both agencies and communities are considered, implemented and shared across the emergency management sector and with impacted communities. Emergency Management Victoria
2023 Statement of Victorian Government Recovery Actions - June 2021 Victorian Flood and Storms (External link) The Statement covers the period from 9 June 2021 to 29 August 2022 and sets out the initial identified impacts of the June 2021 flood and storm event, agreed short term State-level recovery initiatives, and supporting governance and reporting arrangements. Emergency Recovery Victoria
2023 Communities at the centre: Insights from the Multicultural Resilience Project (External link) Following the devastating floods across Victoria in October 2022, VCOSS initiated the Multicultural Resilience Project to support multicultural communities across the north and north-west of the state to continue to recover, rebuild, and strengthen resilience in the case of future disasters. The insights report highlights the common experiences, challenges, strengths and needs of regional multicultural communities during and after the floods. Victorian Council of Social Service