Warning: Major flooding on roads in Cowes, including in front of North Pier on The Esplanade.

SES Victoria warns motorists not to drive through floodwater, and research conducted by the University of New South Wales demonstrates that as little as 15cm of water is enough for a small vehicle to start to float, reducing the driver's control and endangering occupants. 15cm is the height of an average pen.

“Vehicles that become stranded in water place our VICSES volunteer crews and other responders at risk,” says Tim Wiebusch, Chief Officer Operations.

“That’s why we created the 15 to float campaign, to highlight just how easy it is for a vehicle to become stranded in water."

www.ses.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/campaigns/15-to-float