Missing Man Found Safe Near Floodwater Between Shepparton and Mooroopna

Emergency crews located a man in his 60s after concerns were raised about his safety near rising floodwater along the Goulburn River.

Emergency crews have located a man who had been the subject of a search near floodwater between Shepparton and Mooroopna on Thursday, 13 August 2026. The search was launched after concerns were raised about the man's safety in an area affected by rising water following several days of rain across northern Victoria. Police received several calls from the man seeking assistance in the Mooroopna area, prompting emergency services to begin searching nearby locations. The search involved multiple emergency organisations, including police, State Emergency Service personnel from Tatura and Shepparton Search and Rescue. The coordinated response focused on locating the man and ensuring he could be reached safely. The Goulburn River had risen above the minor flood level on Thursday morning, adding an additional challenge to the search. Rising river levels and floodwater can make access to surrounding bushland and waterways hazardous, particularly when paths, roads and crossings become inundated. Police air resources were also involved in the search. The police air wing eventually located the man in bushland between Shepparton and Mooroopna, south of the Midland Highway. Finding the man brought an important development to the emergency operation and allowed authorities to respond directly to his situation. The incident highlights the risks that can develop around waterways following prolonged rainfall. Even relatively low-level flooding can create dangerous conditions around riverbanks, crossings, low-lying roads and bushland. The Goulburn River is an important waterway for the Shepparton-Mooroopna region, and rising river levels can affect surrounding areas when rainfall increases water flows through the catchment. Emergency services regularly monitor river conditions during periods of significant rainfall and may issue warnings when water levels rise. Residents are encouraged to avoid entering floodwater, as its depth and speed can be difficult to judge. Floodwater can also conceal damaged roads, holes, debris and other hazards. For people travelling through affected areas, official warnings and road-closure information are important sources of safety information. The search also demonstrates the importance of coordinated emergency responses in regional communities. Police, SES volunteers, search-and-rescue teams and aviation resources can work together when someone is reported missing or in danger. For Shepparton and Mooroopna residents, the incident is particularly relevant because the two communities are closely connected and share areas around the Goulburn River. The successful location of the man means the immediate search operation has reached an important outcome. Authorities will continue assessing the circumstances surrounding the incident and the condition of the affected area. The wider flooding situation remains relevant for residents because rainfall and river levels can continue changing after the initial rise. People living near waterways should continue monitoring official warnings and avoid unnecessary travel through flooded areas. Today's incident is a unique emergency and flood-related Shepparton story, separate from the Shepparton Running Festival route-change story and other previously provided topics.