RELATED: Wild weather lashes town of Elmore
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UPDATE 1.57pm: Bella Blue Cafe and Bar in Bendigo has been inundated with water following this afternoon's heavy storms.
Owner Kevin Harding said part of the cafe's internal roof collapsed right over the sandwich bar and right in the middle of a busy lunch service after a drain overflowed.
"It was a waterfall," he said.
The cafe's kitchen and dining area flooded as a result of the roof collapse, which occurred around 1.30pm.
Mr Harding said the damage was extensive and it was lucky no one was hurt.
"If someone had of been sitting there, it could have been different," he said.
Mr Harding said he had called the SES, who arrived on scene around 1.45pm to inspect the damage.
More to come.
UPDATE 1.45PM: There's blue skies above Bendigo right now - the weather is truly amazing.
Bendigo Advertiser readers have turned to social media to describe the heavy thunderstorm which just swept through the city.
Janine Ryan reported eight millimetres of rain fell near Bendigo hospital in the storm.
Bindi Long said it was bad in Lockwood but had cleared while Amber Lyons said it was bucketing down in Eaglehawk and 'you could just about surf down the main street'.
Nicole Mayes provided a haven for at least one person caught up in the downpour. ''Poor postie just took cover at my place!'
Heavy rain was reported at Kangaroo Flat and Flora Hill.
Tara Mansfield wrote: ''Well the gutters in our street are up to the top. The drainage works can't come quick enough.''
UPDATE 1.25PM: Heavy storms in the Bendigo region are among the biggest in the state, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Severe weather forecaster Peter Newham said the worst of it was probably over Bendigo at the moment.
"It's one of the bigger storms on the radar at the moment," he said.
"Also the line of storms between Charlton and Hopetoun is quite significant.
"The biggest is north west of Mildura, heading towards Mildura."
Mr Newham said the main front was expected to pass the Bendigo region by 4pm or 5pm, but residents could expect passing showers and intense bursts of between 5mm and 20mm rain in the meantime.
"There'll be a break then risk of further heavy showers in next few hours," he said.
"Once the main front passes through in about three hours, the weather will stabilise."
He said all three extreme weather conditions were forecast – large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding.
He said it was possible for 20-30mm to fall in the space of an hour in some parts.
UPDATE 1.05PM: A heavy rainstorm has hit Bendigo's central business district.
Large gusts of wind accompanied the arrival of the storm.
Gutters in the CBD are running at near breaking point.
EARLIER: THE Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Bendigo and other parts of the state.
The warning reads:
''Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.
''Locations which may be affected include Horsham, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Geelong, Melbourne and Traralgon.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
Keep clear of fallen power lines.
Secure any loose objects in the vicinity of your home.
Keep away from creeks and drains.
Do not drive vehicles through flooded areas.
Stay indoors if possible.
Avoid using the phone during the storm.
If you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
The bureau said a warning update would be issued before 2pm.
If severe thunderstorms develop in the Melbourne Area, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in this area.