Early on Thursday communities were counting the cost of massive thunderstorms that dumped almost 50mm of rain in several hours late on Wednesday.
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The SES received hundreds of callouts for assistance with flooding after consecutive rain bands lashed the region and cut power.
Areas to the north including Creswick, Ascot, Sulky and Blowhard appear to have been the hardest hit with several main roads inundated and closed to traffic..
But Emergency services were busy right across the Ballarat region and Thursday morning offered some hours of reprieve to assess the damage.
More thunderstorms were predicted for Thursday afternoon or evening with another 10mm forecast.
Late on Wednesday VicRoads reported the Midland Highway remains closed between Creswick and Newlyn and the Creswick to Bungaree Road (Melbourne Road) and drivers should seek alternative routes..
Assessments were still be made on the Maryborough Road at Blowhard.
Clunes was also badly flooded and traffic was halted on the Clunes Creswick Road.
The advice message remains in place for the Ballarat region.
Two flash flood Watch and Act message were issued for parts of Ballarat and in Creswick, after a severe storm smashed the area on Wednesday afternoon.
More than 47 millimetres fell in two hours across Ballarat during the height of the storm.
THE emergency services warning highlighted the sudden floods mean locals in the areas of Miners Rest, Wendouree, Invermay and Ballarat North could be in danger. on flooded roads and near watercourses.
WEDNESDAY:
A severe thunderstorm warning for intense rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones also remains in place.
Emergency services have been swamped with calls for assistance following a severe thunderstorm hit Ballarat's north on Wednesday afternoon.
Areas including Creswick have been the hardest hit by flash floods, with a Watch and Act message issued for the town.
EARLIER:
Areas north of Ballarat, including Miners Rest and Creswick have been smashed by heavy rain and flash flooding.
It comes after a severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the Bureau of Meteorology earlier in the afternoon.
As of 4.55pm, Ballarat had received at least 18 millimetres of rain in as little as an hour, as lightning lit up the sky.
Emergency crews are also being kept busy, with multiple reports of flooding, and building damage.
EARLIER:
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, with areas around Ballarat likely to cop some of the worst of it.
The storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones over the next few hours.
Affected locations including Ballarat, Maryborough and Bacchus Marsh.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
- Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
- Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
- Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
- Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
Ballarat could cop as much as 60 millimetres of rain over the next few days.
The next warning is due to be issued by 6:05 pm.
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