A hail storm caused havoc in areas such as Castlemaine and Harcourt from about 5.30pm last night.

Castlemaine resident June detailed the storm on the Bendigo Advertiser website this morning.

''You should have seen the hail we had here in Nolan Street, Castlemaine,'' she wrote.

''Looked like snow everywhere.

''Have never seen the likes in our lives.

''The hail was probably 30 centimetres deep for as far as we could see.

''Leaves have been ripped off trees and plants and mangled up like as if they have been through a food processor.

''We got 60 mls of rain in the storm in probably about half an hour.

''The drains couldn't take the water.

''Our garage flooded and at least one neighbour had water come in the room and down the light fittings and air conditioner vents.

''Hail stayed built up on the roof for hours afterwards.

''This morning there is only mess!''

On Twitter, travellers commented about the state of the Calder Highway at the height of the storm.

Some drivers reported having to pull over during the storm while others said traffic was forced down to 60kmh because of the conditions.

Areas of Harcourt and Harcourt North were without power until about 10pm.

The CFA investigated fires started by lightning strikes at Daylesford and Knowsley.

Do you have pictures or information about the hail storm? Send them to cos@bendigoadvertiser.com.au