Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 11:30 am Saturday, 2 April 2022.

Damaging wind gusts over alpine areas until Saturday afternoon. Heavy to INTENSE rainfall and damaging winds developing in the east during Sunday morning.

Weather Situation: A low pressure system in the Tasman Sea will take a southwesterly track and weaken a little during Saturday. During Sunday the low will deepen and slow down in response to an upper trough as it approaches waters off the East Gippsland coast.

Strong to DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are forecast to continue over Alpine areas near Mount Buller and Mount Hotham until Saturday afternoon.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to develop over East Gippsland and eastern parts of West and South Gippsland from early Sunday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 90mm are likely.

INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible in East Gippsland from late morning on Sunday, with six-hourly totals to 120mm possible with embedded thunderstorm and heavy shower activity.

Strong to DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts to 100km/h from the west are forecast to develop from Sunday evening as the low deepens. Sustained gales averaging 60km/h may be experienced along exposed coastal parts of East Gippsland on Sunday night, depending on the exact position of the low.

Conditions are expected to ease early on Monday morning as the low tracks east back into the Tasman Sea.

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 Orbost, Buchan, Gelantipy, Bonang, Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.

Significant wind observations to 08:15 am include:

104 km/h wind gust at Mt Buller at 1:05 am Saturday.

98 km/h wind gust at Mt Hotham at 9:00 pm 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.