The emergency service's regional manager Keith O'Brien told a media conference in Wangaratta that there are still grave concerns about the safety of the levee which is designed to protect Wilson Road residents.

He said major pressure would be exerted by river waters on the levee for at least a week and a two to three metre wave of water would rush into the Wilson Road area if it failed.

Forecast rain is only expected to slightly increase the level of the Ovens and King rivers, but Mr O'Brien said more importantly it would not allow the streams to subside.

Ten residents continue to remain holed up in the area, but the SES has said it would prefer them to leave the zone.

The levee was yesterday found to have major structural damage, sparking renewed calls for residents to evacuate now.

Consultants appointed by Wangaratta Council determined there was a high risk the Wilson Road levee could break, sending water up to three metres high rushing at nearby homes.

Residents were told about the consultants’ findings at a meeting in the city last night.

Mr O’Brien said repairs to the levee were critical.

“At some point it will give way unless works are done to fix it,” he said.

More reports: today's Border Mail