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National

The latest on Australia's wet weather: flood levels and the areas to watch

Rain and extensive flooding is expected to impact much of eastern and south-east Australia during the next few days.

As flooding continues in parts of Victoria, heavy rainfall is expected in New South Wales and Queensland, which could lead to flash flooding.

What's causing this?

A weather system that's moving over South Australia is drawing in moisture from the Pacific Ocean, providing the fuel for the wet weather.

The system is shifting east and southwards today, getting into the north of Victoria.

It's also shifting slowly, which is why we're seeing much of the same wet weather.

Where to watch today

A lot of the focus today has been on Moama and Echuca on the Victoria-New South Wales border where residents are rallying with sandbags to protect homes and businesses.

Senior BoM forecaster Jonathan How said the latest figures show the Murray River is currently at 94.4 metres above sea level.

"The 1993 level was 94.77 — so [the water is] only about 30 to 40 centimetres off the 1993 level — but it is rising and expected to peak in the next few days.

He said the water was expected to exceed the 1993 level.

Echuca levee map

The community of Moama is one of the main areas of concern for the NSW SES as the banks of the Murray River continues to rise.

There is also major flooding at Echuca, where the SES expect the flood water to peak tonight and tomorrow morning.

SES chief operating officer Tim Wiebusch said emergency warnings to evacuate remain in place from Barmah to Echuca.

To Echuca's north-west, Kerang is already cut off from the rest of the Victoria with the Loddon River expected to cause major flooding later today. 

It's expected to reach 2011 flood levels, but the water is expected to stay below the levee.

Mr Wiebusch said Kerang would be isolated for at least seven days.

The latest flood warnings

Tap on the black squares in each state to read the current flood warnings in place.

What to expect tomorrow and beyond

The Bureau of Meteorology is warning that a low-pressure system forecast for the weekend and early next week will bring even more rain

A current low-pressure system is already dumping significant rainfall in Queensland and is likely to move across the already flood-impacted northern Victoria in the coming days. 

Senior forecaster Jonathan How said after that there was likely to be more rain on the way. 

"Late Sunday and Monday there's another low-pressure system forming and this time impacting Victoria and Tasmania."

Rain is forecast to continue across parts of New South Wales for the next few days.

SES Deputy State Duty Commander Ken Murphy said the heaviest rains were expected to hit on Saturday.

"In relation to the southern part of the state, that weather event that will be occurring on Saturday is most likely to cause increased river rises and may lead to more isolations and significantly more road closures across the area."

Severe thunderstorms are expected to impact much of eastern Australia, from Central Queensland to northern Victoria. 

In Tasmania, the BoM is urging Tasmanians to prepare for a prolonged rain event in the coming week. 

Rain will return to northern and eastern areas tomorrow before a second system brings widespread falls to most of the state from Saturday.

This rain will last well into next week with some areas expecting at least 100 millimetres, adding more pressure to soaked river catchments.

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