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
2023 Maribyrnong River Flood Review (External link) An independent technical review that examined the causes and contributors to the flood event in the urban catchment, the report makes 15 recommendations for Melbourne Water. Recommendations include more regular reviews of flood models, investigate long-term sustainable flood mitigation options for the Maribyrnong River; use of hydraulic model to confirm the impact of the Flemington Flood Wall and more frequent flood and rainfall forecasting 
 Independent
2023 Multicultural Communities Experience of the 2022 Victorian Floods (External link) This report reveals the key issues multicultural communities faced during Victoria’s 2022 devastating flood event. It found that multicultural communities, particularly those who are newly arrived and those on temporary visas, were at far greater risk of harm during the 2022 floods, had high levels of fear and anxiety, and gained information about the floods in very different ways compared to the mainstream community. Independent
2024 Women Rising: Empowering Flood Recovery in the Loddon Mallee Region (External link) Natural disasters exacerbate existing gender inequalities and cause unequal health, social and economic outcomes that disproportionately affect women, including an increase in gendered violence. Considering the unique challenges of the 2022 Victorian floods, Women's Health Loddon Mallee responded with a multifaceted approach to support gender equality and women’s wellbeing approaches in emergency planning and management Independent