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Record-breaking rain is bearing down on Victoria, triggering warnings of dangerous flash flooding across the state.
After a scorching end to spring, Melbourne is set to get one month's worth of rain in just two days, and possibly an entire summer's worth of rain in the season's first three days.
A severe weather warning has been issued for all of Victoria as the Bureau of Meteorology prepares for what could be the state's most significant rain event in over 20 years.
Ballarat could be lashed with 60 millimetres of rain - more than its December average rainfall - over Friday and Saturday alone.
Premier Daniel Andrews used Question Time in Parliament on Thursday to warn Victorians to exercise caution during the forecast downpour, and to let emergency services workers and volunteers do their jobs.
"This is a very serious matter and one that will pose a very severe challenge to communities right across the state and will be a direct challenge to public safety," Mr Andrews said.
He urged all Victorians to follow the advice of VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria and Victoria Police and not to drive into flood waters.
"Please, listen to those warnings, heed them and that is the best thing you can do in order to keep yourself and your family safe and what's more, to not put our emergency services in harm's way having to come to your aid," Mr Andrews said.
The downpour will begin on Friday morning and continue until Sunday evening.