First bushfires, now flash floods devastating Victoria

Gippsland, a region no stranger to nature's fury, finds itself at the epicentre of Australia's current environmental turmoil.

Mick Cumming, a resident of Stockdale Victoria, has described the region's latest environmental battle as "apocalyptic".

He was referring to the region's sudden onset of bushfires only to be followed by flash-flooding just a day later.

“Out of nowhere, a puff of wind arose... then it erupted," said Cumming.

"It ran right around the outside of us.”

It was a mutual feeling felt by Gippsland's residents, who in the past few years have experienced what some described as the true face of climate change.

This time last year the same region was devastated by floods.

And three years before that fires tore through the land that captured global attention.

Now its residents have experienced both just a couple of days apart.

Fernbank resident Anthony Bakker said he woke in the early hours of Wednesday morning to his house collapsing against the high winds and instantly felt dread.

“I got up and thought the roof was going to peel off and then looked out in front of house and there was a glow and smoke,” he said.

The situation became especially dire as the bushfire consumed more than 22,000 hectares of the region.

At least 650 firefighters took to the front lines as they battled the multiple blazes -- the fire had tripled in size overnight.

Their efforts were supported from the air with relentless water bombing operations.

But conditions proved far to difficult as fire continued to singe the land.

While many heeded the warnings and evacuated in time, others like Mick Cumming chose to stay, safeguarding homes and community.

“A lot of the wives and children left, but the blokes stayed, all working together,” he said.

Farmer Juanita Bakker said the decision to stay was equally heart-wrenching and terrifying. "With cows and calves at stake, leaving wasn’t an option.”

Relief centres, such as the one in Sale, have become homes for those displaced.

But Golden Beach resident Rick Stanford said the desire to return home was overwhelming.

"Anxious is an understatement, I'm very eager to get home." he said.

In Lochsport, a town with a predominantly elderly population and only one way in or out, the threat of isolation became all too real for residents on Tuesday.

Phil Stephens said, “We were awoken by fire alarms early in the morning. It's challenging because you don't know who needs assistance.”

Following the fire danger and devastation, Gippsland residents now faced a new threat.

Severe weather warnings were issued for the region with up to 150mm of rain expected in 24 hours, with the potential of flash floods an imminent threat.

But while residents said they were terrified at the prospect, it was something they knew all too well how to deal with and their community was resilient.

“We all rally behind each other. I was a firefighter before. This is just what mates do. We help each other out," said resident David Armstrong.