Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in East Gippsland and parts of North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:59 am Saturday, 2 April 2022.
Damaging winds over central and eastern ranges with heavy rainfall developing in the east on Saturday night.

Weather Situation: A deepening low in the Tasman Sea will become slow-moving while a strong high pressure system remains dominant over the Great Australian Bight. The deep low is forecast to adopt a southwesterly track during the latter parts of Saturday and approach the Victorian and New South Wales coasts on Sunday.

Strong to DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are forecast to continue over the eastern and central ranges for the remainder of the day and through early Saturday morning.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop over the East Gippsland and parts of North East and West and South Gippsland on Saturday night and continue through Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 80 mm are likely.
A FLOOD WATCH is current for parts of Gippsland catchments. For details, please see www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Maffra, Bairnsdale, Orbost, Falls Creek, Mt Buller and Omeo.

Significant wind observations to 10:50 pm include:
104 km/h wind gust at Mt Buller at 1:05 am Saturday.
98 km/h wind gust at Mt Hotham at 9:41 pm Friday.
102 km/h wind gust at Falls Creek at 9:38 am Friday.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.