General News
3 March, 2026
Record rainfall floods region
The Wimmera experienced record rainfall over the weekend, resulting in flooded streets, saturated paddocks, and increased challenges for emergency services.
A low-pressure system brought higher humidity, heavy rainfall, and isolated thunderstorms.
A slow-moving trough crossed Southern Australia into Victoria on Friday, delivering significant rainfall.
In the span of 72 hours, the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 157.4mm in Horsham, 107mm in Longernong, 98.8mm in Warracknabeal, 77.6mm in Hopetoun, and 59.8mm in Nhill.
SES swamped
Local State Emergency Service volunteers responded to a surge in calls for assistance with building damage, flooding, and fallen trees as the rain-producing weather system moved through the Wimmera.
A SES spokesperson confirmed volunteers received 43 Requests for Assistance across the Wimmera between 12am Friday and 11.30am Monday.
This included 17 for trees down, 11 for flooding and nine for building damage.
The VICSES Horsham Unit received the most requests, with 22, followed by Dimboola with 10 and Stawell with four.
The data support firsthand accounts of damage received by locals' homes and properties.
Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Gail Gatt said council staff were assessing reports of damage across the municipality.
"HRCC staff were kept very busy with numerous stormwater drainage issues, trees down and making sure signage was in place to alert people to water over the road,” she said.
Wimmera Mail-Times reader Rachel Torey reported collecting more than ten buckets of water from her home due to the rainfall.
"Every single towel I own (is) drenched," she said.
"Water coming out of my downlights and ceiling; lots of damage from the water."
Other residents reported minor leaks and damage to their ceilings and properties compared to the extent of damage at Ms Torey's residence.
Another resident, Rachel Cousins, observed that the river and weir appeared full during a walk along the river.
"It's noisy down at the weir ... and water rushing through," she said.
John Martin, Horsham Rural City Council infrastructure director, stated that the weir pool had been maintained at a high level in recent weeks in preparation for the annual Horsham Fishing Competition on Sunday, March 8.
He noted that water was flowing over the boards at the weir and that levels are expected to gradually decrease over the next few days.
Storm fails to stop feast
Patrons braved the weather, waitresses donned gum boots, organisers wrapped the venue in glad wrap, as the annual 150km Feast Dinner continued despite challenges.
Andrea Cross, Horsham Agricultural Society secretary and event organiser, said that while the heavens opened on Friday night caused some issues, she was prepared for the Saturday deluge, realising her weird weather plan would have to be implemented.
"When I put the call out to the community for help on Friday night, I had no idea how many would turn up,” she said.
“So when 60 people arrived with their sleeves rolled up to help on Saturday, I was overwhelmed.”
"Considering we had a mini tornado last year and extreme temperatures, to say this weather was unexpected is an understatement.
"We certainly did not expect flooding of that magnitude," she said.
“The insurance had just come through for our damaged gazebos from the tornado, so we quickly set them up, but unfortunately, the grass underfoot was like a moving stream," she said.
While numbers were down, Ms Cross said everyone enjoyed the event and worked through the challenges, moving from dinner in the stables to the pavilion as the rain continued, to enjoy the music.
"It was like they had dinner at the restaurant and then moved to the nightclub for the entertainment," she said, laughing.
Ms Cross said she was grateful for the volunteers who kept coming to help throughout the day, some even coming later in the evening to help wait tables.
"It is amazing what people think of in times like this; some even brought food for the volunteers who were helping set up during the day," she said.
Ms Cross paid tribute to everyone who helped, the volunteers, staff, families who came to help, and team leaders Britt and Luke.
"I could not have done this without them," she said.
"I am most grateful to everyone who helped and also to the people who came and supported the event, especially under such difficult circumstances."
Ms Cross said the community spirit shone through.
Hail hits vineyards
Norton Estate Wines owner Chris Spence said he was still assessing the outcome from a 30-minute hailstorm with some of the individual stones “nearly up to golf ball sizes”.
He was cautiously optimistic that the damage to his Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes was minimal.
“It’s still a bit too wet to go and have a look, (I’m) waiting for it to dry out a little bit,” he said.
“(With) the amount of rain we had, obviously, it’s not ideal, but given that we're still a few weeks away from harvest, it might just carry things through nicely if no disease outbreak happens or no further humidity or hail damage.”
Overall, he said he felt it would likely turn out to be a positive.
“It puts valuable moisture in the soil, which is great for any crop,” Chris said.
“It was a big rain event. I think the Lower Norton area copped it pretty well more than anyone else, actually.
“As far as rainfall totals, some of my friends and neighbours are saying anywhere up to 140 millimetres.”
He said he couldn’t measure his own rainfall reliably for the event, as the hail had simply blocked his gauge.
“We've got a significant thing happening in the Norton Creek at the moment, it’s the first time it's flowed in three years,” Chris said.
“There are good things that happen with heavy rainfall events.”
He said the humidity was now a risk factor for any fungal diseases, but had “fingers crossed” over the next few days.
“As far as horticulture goes, it's just one of those things," Chris said.
Relief for others
While the unseasonal downpours at the weekend blocked driveways, challenged events and sporting matches, there was a silver lining for some.
Dreading what possible flooding would do to the fire-damaged cropping land at Natimuk, farmers were pleasantly surprised to receive a steady flow of rain rather than the damaging rainfall in surrounding areas.
Horsham Rural City Council mayor and Natimuk farmer Brian Klowss said he recorded about 50mm of “good steady rain”.
“[It was] enough to consolidate the soil and settle the fine top soil," he said.
"It's probably a little early to benefit from seeding, but as far as weed control goes, for the soil that has already been turned over during or since the fires, we may be able to just work it over again to control the weeds, meaning less use of chemicals, which farmers of today aim for.”
Mr Klowss said it was good news considering what the community had been through with the January 9 fires.