Overnight deluge of rain hits Ballarat | photos, videos

The Yarrowee River broke its banks at a number of points and water has been reported across a number of roads in Ballarat.

There are a number of traffic lights and boom gates out of action throughout the city, while V/Line trains are all expecting 40 minute delays.

The SES were called to around a dozen flooding incidences overnight, in and around the Ballarat area.

Media officer Susan Davie said crew were waiting to see what would happen.

Residents are advised to take caution and not to drive across flooded roads.

"Because the ground is so wet, and we have had quite a bit of rainfall there could be chance of water over roads," Ms Davie said. 

"We should never drive through flood waters and that's our main message not too windy, driving to conditions chance of trees across the roads take care when out on the road be sensible."

The majority of Ballarat's torrential rainfall fell at around 5am, meteorologists say.

WeatherZone meteorologist Rob Sharpe said Ballarat airport recorded 34 millimetres by 9am on Friday morning.

"The majority of rain fell at 5am  - rain began from 1.30am onwards," Mr Sharpe said.

"We are expecting patches of rain and showers."

The deluge of rain was caused by low troughs moving across the state from the north to the east, Mr Sharpe said.

He said the trough was bringing tropical moist conditions from the north into the south east.

"There is quite an intense upper trough." 

Wind gusts reached a height of 56 kilometres an hour at midday on Thursday and 4.30am on Friday. 

The rainfall was the largest since February 24, 2015.

"We are expecting to see falls in the north of state reaching up to 75 mm," Mr Sharpe said.

The rain has now started to ease off but showers are expected throughout the day.

Do you have any flooding photos or videos you want to share? Send them in via our Facebook page or by email to patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au