As the Bendigo Advertiser went to press, Bendigo had received more than 35 millimetres, with heavy rain set in. It was the heaviest rainfall in December since the city copped 48.8mm on December 22, 2007. Areas north west of the city fared far worse, with Charlton copping more than 70mm.

Charlton received 50mm in three hours on Thursday night. Owner of the East Charlton pub, Rick Walklate, said the town had been drenched all day, but was holding up well.

Some buildings were leaking, but otherwise there were no major dramas to report, he said. Mr Walklate said the Avoca River before the downpour was “bone dry” and the town wouldn’t have an idea of how full it would get for a “good few days”.

The river had puddles in spots, but was expected to fill with water from the north early next week, he said.

Bendigo State Emergency Service spokeswoman Natalie Stanway said the organisation had received 20 calls for assistance in the region on Thursday, the majority of which were for trees down and flash flooding.

She urged residents to always prepare for flash flooding. “People need to prepare for it rather than waiting for help because once it comes, it comes quickly, and is often finished by the time we get there,” she said.