Lynzie Arter and her young family were forced out of their home for nine months after water inundated their house in central Victoria in 2022.
Now they're preparing for the worst all over again.
She, her husband and two children live in Mooroopna near Shepparton along the Goulburn River, which is expected to flood on Wednesday as murky water makes its way towards low-lying areas.
The small town of Murchison 30km away is also in the firing line, providing added stress because that's where her shop Lindsay's Jewels and Gifts is based.
"We're all very stressed out," Ms Arter told AAP.
"The business didn't get affected with the 2022 floods thankfully, so hopefully that's not the case but the house in Mooropna is a different story."
The family had to buy a lot after the last flood and aren't taking any chances.
They spent Tuesday moving as much as they can to higher ground while waiting for confirmation about how much the water is expected to rise.
"At the moment they're saying a metre below (2022) but obviously that changes pretty quickly," she said.
"It depends where it gets to, but our street will flood so either we'll leave before that happens and go to the in-laws or if we end up staying this time we won't be able to leave the house."
Murchison post office worker Kirsten Parr said she and other locals are worried they could be cut off for days, which happened in 2022.
The main part of town is expected to be spared initially but she expects river water to come up out of the drains and onto the roads.
"A lot of the houses that did get flooded have just started rebuilding again, and now it's about to happen again," Ms Parr said.
Many residents are preparing for roads to be shut down, fearing they may lose power.
"People are starting to stock up now, they're starting to get a bit worried and starting to get food and supplies," Ms Parr added.
The word devastating is often used to describe the impact of the October 2022 floods in Rochester, where some 1000 properties were inundated.
Many of the 3000 residents were displaced for months, seeking shelter in temporary housing or the Mickleham quarantine facility.
Locals have again been told to evacuate over fears up to 35 houses would be flooded when waters peaked on Tuesday.
Rochester Riverside Holiday Park manager Steve Matter said there was water on the main road out of town and locals were deeply impacted.
"People are very worried I suppose because they had a flood 15 months ago and now there's another flood coming," Mr Matter said early on Tuesday.
At that stage a couple of permanent caravans were flooded but everyone living and holidaying there had already fled to higher ground.
Government financial assistance and support is available at emergency at relief centres, including for those who sought help during the last flooding event.
"We've got members from council, you've got financial advisors, you've got legal advice, you've got mental health support," Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said.
"That is a wrap around service that can deal with any of your needs."
Ms Arter's message for people concerned about flood-affected communities is to still visit when the immediate threat is over because shops like hers rely on tourism and disasters can be a double blow because they lose business afterwards.
"Once it passes don't stay away, just continue with your plans," she said.
