Rain divides Benalla and not welcomed by Border farmers

Another drenching has seen the Border and North East experience its wettest October in almost two decades, causing roads to close due to flooding and potholes to form.

Benalla mayor Bernie Hearn said the city was divided at Bridge Street by floodwaters, forcing residents to go the long way around on the Hume Highway to get from side to the other.

"The town's cut in half at the moment," she said.

"I don't think at this present moment there are any houses that are inundated, but backyards yes."

A relief centre was set up in the centre of town with up to 60 people coming and going at various times as needed over the past few days.

"We've got food, drinks, somewhere they can have a sleep, we've got movies showing, just somewhere they can get a bit of respite and feel safe," Cr Hearn said.

Ms Hearn said the last time flood waters had been this high was in 2010.

Meanwhile, in a farmer near Holbrook said she and others across the district were counting themselves lucky.

Beef and cereal crop farmer Julia Cox said the waterlogged condition of her hay and silage could be a lot worse.

"For us it's making things wet, but when you do a comparison of where we live and what other people are going through, we're good," she said.

"Everyone in the district will be impacted."

Ms Cox said she wanted to switch off the rain.

"As a farmer you never ever say you don't want rain, that's sacrilege, but enough already," she said.

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