Victorian rain eases, river threat remains

A break in rainfall is easing flood conditions on the Victoria-NSW border despite volumes of water continuing to surge along the swollen Murray River.

There are 59 flood warnings in place across Victoria, down from 74 on Wednesday, while more than 400 roads across the state remain closed.

Emergency service volunteers are undertaking preventative sandbagging and doorknocking efforts on the Murray River at Albury, where inflows from the Kiewa river combine with increased outflows from Hume Dam to cause moderate flooding.

Conditions have eased in Rochester, where at least 900 people have been displaced and many more are assessing damage to their homes after sandbagging efforts were overwhelmed by floodwaters in October.

A Victoria State Emergency Service spokesman told AAP efforts around Shepparton, Rochester and Elmore were now geared towards recovery.

"So that's trying to set up... alternative accommodation hubs for the medium term for a lot of people that have now had housing, properties that have been inundated and are unlivable," he said.

Some properties along the Goulburn River towards Barmah are surrounded by stagnant water piles that could neither be drained nor pumped out, the spokesman said.

Mental health organisation Beyond Blue encouraged those struggling with stress in the aftermath of the flood to consider getting help.

"If these feelings persist after a month, you may like to consider reaching out for mental health support because getting in early improves your recovery," Beyond Blue clinical lead Grant Blashki said.

"A small proportion of people do go on to develop anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress conditions, or turn to alcohol or drugs to cope, and this is when it can be useful to see a mental health professional."

SES chief operations officer Tim Wiebusch said floodwaters in southern NSW were converging on the Murray and warned river communities to be flood ready.

"Go and access your local flood guide, so that you can understand what the risks and consequences could be for you and your communities," he told ABC TV on Thursday.

Emergency Victoria has warned residents in flood-affected areas are at risk of mosquito-borne diseases, water-borne diseases and illness relating to mould exposure.

In central-northern Victoria, major flood warnings remain in place at Echuca, Barmah and Lower Moira, where authorities warn it is still unsafe for evacuated residents to return.  

Mr Wiebusch said major floodwaters were expected to reach Swan Hill on Monday next week, peaking around Wednesday and remaining high for some time.

As NSW and Victorian rivers continue to flow into the Murray, major flooding is expected to reach Mildura in Victoria's northwest in the first week of December.