Communities along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road are progressing through early recovery after flash flooding on Jan. 15 inundated coastal townships between Kennett River and Lorne, triggering disaster declarations and a series of government and insurance responses across multiple jurisdictions.
According to ABC’s report, authorities have described the deluge as the most significant flooding in the area since the early 1980s, with rapidly rising waters sweeping cars into the ocean, cutting road access, and forcing evacuations from caravan parks and holiday accommodation. At least six people were rescued, including a man winched from the roof of a shed at Cumberland River. Local businesses and residents have begun clearing mud and debris as access is restored. Campers reported a rapid escalation from heavy rain to hazardous flooding. Melbourne resident Lachlan Cook, whose vehicle was washed out to sea while his family camped at Wye River, said there was little time to recover possessions. “People sort of rushing around, people yelling, get as high as you can. It was pretty scary,” Cook said.
In the aftermath of the event, the Albanese and Allan governments activated disaster assistance for the Surf Coast and Colac Otways shires under the jointly funded Commonwealth–State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). For affected residents, the Personal Hardship Assistance Program provides one-off payments of $680 per eligible adult and $340 per child, up to $2,380 per family, to help with essential items such as food and medicines. Additional DRFA-backed funding covers emergency accommodation, restoration of essential public assets, and counter-disaster operations in the impacted local government areas.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the flooding followed shortly after significant bushfire activity in Victoria. “Victorians have had a really tough time with devastating bushfires across the state, and just a week later, a significant storm and flood event in a densely populated tourist area causing more confronting scenes. Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured and all levels of government are working closely to provide support to those impacted,” McBain said.
Victorian Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward said the state is coordinating with local councils. “We’re standing with flood‑affected Victorians and making sure councils have the support they need after Thursday’s severe storm and flash flooding in Wye River and Lorne,” Ward said. Emergency Recovery Victoria is working with Surf Coast and Colac Otway councils to assess ongoing requirements, while information on relief is being distributed via the VicEmergency website and hotline.
The Great Ocean Road flooding is occurring alongside wider disaster funding and reconstruction measures in both Victoria and Queensland. In Victoria, nearly $82 million has been allocated to repair state roads and public transport infrastructure following the January 2026 bushfires. This includes up to $44 million in emergency works jointly funded by the Commonwealth and state under the DRFA, and a further $37 million from the Allan government. Planned works include pavement repairs, reinstatement of safety barriers and signage, and removal of debris along regional and freight routes such as the Murchison–Violet Town Road, the Murray Valley Highway, Benalla–Tocumwal Road, and Shelley–Walwa Road.
In Queensland, the Albanese and Crisafulli governments have announced an additional $26.6 million in DRFA assistance related to flooding associated with the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji. The package includes assistance for primary producers, small business recovery grants, a mental health program across 15 local government areas, and a community relief fund for the Isaac region.
