Imagine waking up to a serene beachside morning, only to have it turn into a chaotic battle against raging waters within hours. That’s exactly what happened in Victoria’s Wye River on Thursday, where flash floods swept three cars out to sea and submerged a beloved campground. But here’s where it gets even more alarming: this isn’t an isolated incident. Caravan parks along the iconic Great Ocean Road, including those at Carlisle River, Cumberland River, and Lorne Foreshore, are now being evacuated as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc. And this is the part most people miss—as of 3pm, 6,500 homes in the region were left without power, and the Great Ocean Road itself is closed between Skenes Creek and Wye River, cutting off a major tourist route.
Footage shared on social media paints a harrowing picture: cars being dragged into the ocean at Wye River, and sections of the Big4 holiday park vanishing beneath rapid floodwaters. Located just 150 kilometers from Melbourne, Wye River is a popular beach town known for its tranquil charm—a stark contrast to the chaos it faced yesterday. The State Emergency Service (SES) issued a flash flood emergency warning at 2:36pm, urging residents in Wye River, Kennett River, Cumberland River, Lorne, and surrounding areas to seek immediate shelter indoors. Here’s the controversial part: while some residents managed to evacuate in time, others were caught off guard, raising questions about the effectiveness of early warning systems in such remote areas.
Take Rebecca Scott, a Melbourne woman who was camping at the Big4 park with her daughter. When the river burst its banks around 1pm, she described a scene of sheer panic. ‘The water just kept rising,’ she recounted. ‘It was that moment where you realize, this isn’t just rain—this is a flood.’ Scott was forced to abandon her tent, bedding, and camp kitchen, fleeing in her car as the park’s playground transformed into a makeshift reservoir. Her escape was cut short when rising waters blocked the park’s gates, leaving her no choice but to evacuate on foot to the Wye River pub.
Michelle Mackenzie, a holidaymaker in Lorne, was at the pub for lunch when the flooding intensified. She watched in disbelief as eskies and chairs were swept away, and the pub quickly filled with evacuees from nearby campgrounds. ‘There are three cars out at sea now,’ she told The Age, her voice trembling with shock. Fire trucks lined the streets, and the main bridge crossing the river was closed, adding to the sense of isolation.
The weather bureau recorded a staggering 166mm of rain in the Mt Cowley area between 9am and 3pm—a deluge that has not only caused flooding but also heightened the risk of landslides in the Otways. Here’s a thought-provoking question: With climate change intensifying extreme weather events, are coastal towns like Wye River prepared for what’s to come? The SES has urged residents to park cars undercover, stay away from trees, and check on neighbors. They’ve also issued a stark warning: floodwaters can rise in seconds, and drivers should never attempt to cross them. In a life-threatening emergency, calling Triple Zero (000) is the only option.
As the community begins to recover, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a story about cars and campgrounds—it’s a stark reminder of nature’s power and our vulnerability. What do you think? Are we doing enough to protect coastal communities from increasingly frequent disasters? Share your thoughts in the comments below. More updates to come as the situation unfolds.
