CHRISTINE English has just waded across the rising floodwaters of the Ovens River in Wangaratta in her bare feet. Under one arm are a few possessions, in the other arm is one of her dogs, Emma.
Looking behind her, Ms English points to the timber cottage where she has just spent her first winter.
"I'm the little white house that's going under now as we speak," she says, as the river laps around it. "The water, it's in my bathroom and laundry at the moment."
It is 17 years since the last serious floods hit the town, and she has been told those floods hit the house much harder. "It went under and right through the whole home then."
Ms English was was told Sunday that the flood waters are due to peak Tuesday. Until then, she – and thousands of others across the rain-ravaged state – can only hope they don't rise too far.
‘‘I haven't taken a lot of things out of the house," she said. "I've got a lot up on trestle tables and milk crates. I've got Emma out, and I've got another (dog) with the neighbours, because it's a little awkward getting somewhere to stay with two dogs."
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