Monday, 10pm
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The State Emergency Service responded to dozens of call outs in central Victoria as a storm front passed through the state.
A spokesperson said there were 12 call outs for fallen trees around Bendigo.
A handful of other calls were also received from Castlemaine, Kyneton, and Woodend.
Monday, 4.30pm
Some central Victorian properties are without power on Monday afternoon.
At least 29 customers are without power in Huntly, while some residents in Kyneton, Redesdale and Mia Mia have also been affected.
Powercor has listed storm activity as the cause of the outage near Kyneton.
They are investigating the cause in Huntly.
Power is estimated to be restored about 10pm.
A number of trees were also knocked down around Castlemaine and Maldon, as the storm front passed through the state.
Monday, 2.45pm
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for a large swathe of the state, including central Victoria.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours, with Bendigo and Maryborough among the locations likely to be affected.
The State Emergency Service advises that people:
- Check that loose items such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured and 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
- 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.
- Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live
The south-westerly wind change, which will bring cooler temperatures to Victoria, has started to move across the state.
But it is not expected to hit central Victoria until this evening - Bendigo is expected to receive it after 11pm.
Monday, 12.15pm
The temperature in Bendigo continues to climb, sitting above 36 degrees at noon.
The city is headed for a top of 43 degrees as a heatwave sweeps across the state.
"With those hot northerly winds, I think we'll see some dust developing across the Mallee, extending further south towards central parts, possibly Melbourne later this afternoon as well," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said.
Mr Efron said a cool change was expecting to develop later this afternoon, but ahead of that, western and central districts could see some thunderstorm activity, although it was unlikely to bring much rain.
There was a sprinkle of rain late in the morning, but it did not register at the weather station.
There will be a brief reprieve from the hot temperatures over New Year, with a maximum of 28 degrees forecast for New Year's Eve and 31 degrees for January 1.
But the hot conditions will return towards the end of the week, with Saturday expected to reach a scorching 44 degrees.
Monday, 8.45am
VicRoads has closed Mount Macedon Road as central Victoria prepares for an extreme fire danger day.
The authority wants to stop people travelling up the mountain, which is nestled in the Macedon Regional Park.
Today is expected to see such dangerous fire conditions that people in East Gippsland have been ordered to evacuate as a precaution.
Monday is expected to be the final day in a heatwave sequence which has so far seen two children hospitalised after being left in hot cars.
A primary school aged girl and pre-school aged boy were treated for heat stress and taken to Monash Medical Centre in a stable condition.
They had been left in a car in Springvale on Sunday afternoon.
Paramedics have been called to 23 instances of people locked in hot cars since Friday morning, including one in the Loddon Mallee region.
Sunday, 3.30pm
EMERGENCY services have warned that Victorians cannot afford to be complacent as severe fire conditions hit the state on Monday.
It comes a day after an out-of-control fire threatened homes and businesses in Bendigo East.
Police are investigating suspicious circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp said Monday would be a challenging day across Victoria.
Read more: Bobs Street fire suspicious, police say
A total fire ban has been declared for the state, as temperatures are forecast to hit 42 degrees in Bendigo, with gusty winds, possible dry lightning and a late wind change.
Fire danger has been deemed extreme across central Victoria.
Mr Crisp warned all Victorians to stay away from state parks and forested areas, saying it was "the last place" people should be camping or spending time.
He urged holiday makers in East Gippsland - suffering from a number of severe fires - to leave the area.
"The forecast for tomorrow is hot, and it's dry and it's windy," Mr Crisp said.
"You might think you know where the fires are ... however there could be new fires that start and they could be very very close to you. You might not find a way out of where you are at the moment."
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Kevin Parkyn said it was not just the hot, dry conditions that would make Monday a nasty day for fire weather, but the wind change that would move through the state.
Mr Parkyn said this wind change was "problematic" for fires already burning.
Acting chief health officer Angie Bone warned that heat caused more deaths than any other kind of natural disaster.
Dr Bone urged people to avoid strenuous activity during the heat, keep their environment as cool as possible, keep windows and blinds closed, and drink plenty of water.
She asked people to watch out for those particularly vulnerable to the heat, such as the young, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Anyone with concerns can contact nurse on Call on 1300 606 024. In an emergency contract Triple Zero (000).
The Department of Transport has urged Victorians to carefully consider routes, fire danger ratings and and road closures.
The department urged travellers to carry plenty of drinking water and wool blankets.
As vehicles are more likely to breakdown in extreme heat, the department suggested drivers check their brakes, tyres, oil and water, and make sure they have enough fuel for the trip, to avoid being stranded.
If they do breakdown, drivers should try to stop their vehicle off the road, and avoid parking in long, dry grass, which can become a fire hazard because of hot exhaust systems.
V/Line services are running to an extreme heat timetable on the Bendigo and Maryborough lines.
Drinking water will be provided onboard trains.
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
