Victoria Floods: 'Terrifying' Flash Floods Devastate Great Ocean Road

Flash floods described as 'terrifying' have devastated Victoria's Great Ocean Road, with holidaymakers witnessing cars being swept out to sea and a caravan park inundated. Residents narrowly escaped the rapid inundation near Wye River and Separation Creek. Experts explain that the area's steep, small catchments, draining the Otways, respond rapidly to thunderstorms, leaving little time for effective flood warnings.

These unpredictable events, exacerbated by climate change, are projected to become more frequent and intense. Global warming has already increased thunderstorm event intensity by 15 to 20 percent over the last 30 years. This increase in atmospheric moisture leads to more intense downpours, amplifying flood risks. The risk of flooding is expected to double by the end of the century.

The article stresses the need for better community education on flood warnings and responses, drawing parallels to bushfire awareness. It advises individuals in high-risk floodplains to prioritize safety, suggesting moving to higher ground during severe thunderstorm warnings, even if direct danger is not immediately apparent. Similar weather patterns have recently affected New South Wales and Queensland.