Floods hits Skipton again

Levels have gradually increased across Friday afternoon and are expected to peak some time this evening.

An Emergency Warning issued earlier in the day has since been replaced with a Watch and Act message.

Locals have been busy preparing for the last few days, with sandbagging and evacuation efforts ramping up on Friday.

The Courier's photographer Luke Hemer and journalists Gabrielle Hodson and Malvika Hemanth were there to capture the preparations.

Check out the gallery above.

UPDATE, 4pm:

The flood level at Skipton has significantly increased this afternoon, with water now entering all businesses except for the IGA.

The river is yet to peak.

EARLIER

An "emergency warning" has been issued for Skipton as floodwaters continue to rise from Mount Emu Creek.

The State Emergency Service says major flooding is occurring at Skipton with the creek around the major flood level of 5.10 metres and rising.

It is believed the creek may peak at Skipton at 5.70 metres this evening.

A relief centre has been set up at Skipton Football Club on Smythe Street, with a second centre opened at Skipton CFA Station, 54 Montgomery St.

The CFA has stopped pumping water as the water rises.

Montgomery Street in Skipton is now closed, with Mount Emu Creek also breaking its banks on the west side.

Water has reached pharmacy and hotel on the main street, while the local IGA supermarket is clear of any water for now.

The Courier is also providing a blog of live updates across the day.

PREVIOUSLY:

Skipton community is bracing itself with floodwaters at Mount Emu Creek expected to peak between 1.45pm and 2pm Friday

A community meeting has been called for midday at the Skipton football clubrooms.

READ MORE:

The creek is just below the level of the Glenelg Highway bridge, as of 11.30am, and was visibly rising when The Courier visited.

The Skipton historical society next door to the bridge was told to evacuate its museum, after spending several days putting goods up high or removing them from the building altogether.

In 2011 the museum was flooded, with members saying 99 per cent of the artefacts were inundated when they only occupied the courthouse next to the creek.

Since then, they have also moved part of their collection in the 1910s police residence next door, which sits slightly higher.

Businesses up and down Skipton's main street have taken precautions including sandbags.

Pumps have been set up in buildings, including at one of the pubs, with the expectation that Mount Emu Creek will flood.

Many businesses were closed and emptied of stock, though the supermarket and roadhouse are open.

Many agencies and services have arrived in town, including the Bureau of Meteorology, who sent two hydrographers to measure water to calculate how far and how high it may get to.

The Glenelg Highway remains open but drivers are urged to be cautious, particularly this afternoon.

The Skipton CFA have been at the creek since 3am monitoring the situation and pumping water, with support from Snake Valley CFA, FFMV, and local SES crews.

The water level at 10am was 4.8 metres, and is likely to hit 5.7m, 30 centimetres lower than the 2011 floods.

Have you tried The Courier's app? It can be downloaded here.