UPDATE: 22mm of rain has fallen between midnight and 8am.
However, there doesn’t seem to be much more rain on the radar.
EARLIER WARNING: Damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding are forecast for Ballarat this morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology is warning severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the Mallee, South West, Wimmera and parts of the Central, Northern Country and North Central Forecast Districts over the next several hours.
Damaging winds are also possible with heavy showers. Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Maryborough and Kyneton.
The bureau has also issued a severe weather warning for people in the North Central, North East, Central, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts. To see which forecast district you are in, click here.
“A strong cold front over western Victoria will rapidly cross the state on Friday morning,” the bureau advises.
“Damaging winds around 40 to 50km/h with peak gusts of 90km/h are expected on Friday morning mainly about elevated areas but also with thunderstorms over parts of the North Central, North East, Central, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts.
“Heavy rain and thunderstorms will contract eastwards and clear by early Friday afternoon.”
Sheep graziers in the South West, North Central, Central, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts and parts of the Northern Country, Wimmera and North East forecast districts are also being warned there is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
The State Emergency Service advises that rainfall run-off into waterways in recent fire affected areas may contain debris such as soil, ash, trees and rocks. People in fire affected areas should also be alert to the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- Stay indoors if possible.
- Avoid using the phone during the storm.
- If you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
- Listen to the radio for storm updates
- Switch off your computer and electrical appliances
- Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
- Keep clear of fallen power lines.
- Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
- Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
