UPDATE 5pm: The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled the severe thunderstorm warning, but warns strong winds remain across the state.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A strong cold front continues to cross Victoria and a warning for damaging winds is current.
BOM says while the immediate threat of severe thunderstorms has passed, the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings will be issued if necessary.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
4.19pm
State Emergency Service volunteers are continuing to attend to calls for assistance throughout central Victoria.
The wild weather has caused fallen trees and building damage across the region.
In Golden Square, Bendigo crews are attending to a building damage call-out:
4.10pm
A fault in Runnymede has led to blackouts for 16 Powercor customers in Toolleen and eight in Myola.
The cause of the fault is under investigation.
Powercor estimated power will be restored at 6pm.
Meanwhile, more than 160 premises near Castlemaine are still experiencing power blackouts due to a fault at Campbells Creek.
Storm damage has also left 14 customers at St Arnaud without power.
3.49pm
Check out this video of the rain rolling into Bendigo!
It comes via Twitter user @timkingwriter:
You can see the original here.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has shared this footage of a different kind of storm in Mildura right now.
As central Victoria deals with rain showers and strong winds, north-west Victoria is battling dust storms.
Check out the video, via Twitter, here:
3.40pm
A tree has fallen on a powerline in Morshead Court in White Hills.
The tree narrowly missed a house.
Police have closed the road as the powerline is crossing the road.
Meanwhile, SES crews are busy with trees down across the region, including near in Lockwood South.
3.30pm
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an updated severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds.
The warning is for those in central, north central and parts of north-east and west and south Gippsland forecast districts.
A strong cold front is crossing Victoria. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.
Locations that could be affected include Seymour, Kyneton, Geelong, Melbourne, Wonthaggi and Bacchus Marsh.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- 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
- 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
The next warning is due to be issued by 6.25pm.
3.21pm
The latest from the Bendigo State Emergency Service:
A quick reminder, the Bendigo SES has asked anyone aware of trees down or building damage requiring assistance to call 132 500.
3.14pm
More than 160 premises near Castlemaine are experiencing a power outage.
Powercor is reporting 159 affected customers at Campbells Creek and six premises at Muckleford.
The cause of the fault, believed to be located at Main Road, Campbells Creek, is still under investigation.
Power is expected to be restored by 6pm.
A fault has also been reported at Slaty Creek, affecting 14 customers at St Arnaud.
UPDATE: Tuesday, 3pm
Victoria State Emergency Service volunteers have received about 13 calls for help from people in the state’s north-west in the past six hours.
Trees down have accounted for eight of the calls, while five were related to building damage.
An SES spokesperson said a tree had fallen on a house and a car in Maryborough.
They said the tree also took down power lines.
The SES received the call for help about 2.30pm.
Natalie Stanway from Bendigo SES said the unit had yet to receive a weather-related call for help.
She urged people to prepare for the possibility of severe weather.
“From our perspective [in Bendigo] the winds are probably the priority, which is making sure people have outdoor furniture tied down or stored safely,” Ms Stanway said.
“It’s quite amazing how far a trampoline can travel when we have high winds.”
She urged people not to park under trees, if possible, and to drive to the conditions.
“It’s time for people to have their low beams on when they’re driving and allow that little bit of extra stopping time,” Ms Stanway said.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for central and north central forecast districts.
It warms severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours.
Kyneton is among the places which could be affected, along with Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wonthaggi and Bacchus Marsh.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- 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
- 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
UPDATE: Tuesday, 11.25am
The Country Fire Authority has warned all Victorians to reconsider any planned burn-offs today following a severe weather warning for most of the state.
CFA Chief Officer Steve Warrington said that a number of burn-offs have already turned into grass and scrub fires today.
“This morning we’ve already seen a number of burn-offs get out of control forcing CFA to attend incidents that we really shouldn’t be,” Chief Officer Warrington said.
“The message is simple: if the winds are strong, cancel your burn and do it another day. It’s really not worth the risk.”
Tuesday: 10.47am
The BOM has extended the area expected to be affect by damaging winds to include Echuca, Shepparton, and Euroa.
Sheep graziers continue to be warned that the front today will bring colder temperatures, showers and strong northwest to westerly winds.
There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
Tuesday 6.15am: The Bureau of Meteorology now expects damaging winds to extend to a much larger area, with most of the state included in the severe weather warning area.
Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Daylesford and Kyneton all fall within the warning area, and could experience damaging winds averaging 50 km/h to 60km/h with peak gusts of 90 km/h to 100 km/h.
The winds are expected to develop Tuesday morning and early afternoon.
Monday 11am: A severe weather warning has been renewed for parts of central Victoria, with damaging winds expected to hit on Tuesday.
MONDAY: Damaging winds averaging 60 km/h to 70 km/h are expected to move into parts of central Victoria on Tuesday.
A cold front is expected to approach southwest Victoria on Monday night before crossing the state on Tuesday.
Northerly winds are expected to strengthen overnight Monday and on Tuesday ahead of the front.
Maryborough, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Daylesford all fall within the severe weather warning area, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.
The State Emergency Service advises that people move vehicles under cover or away from trees, secure or put away loose items outside, and keep clear of fallen power lines.