5.15pm
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Echuca could experience dangerous thunderstorms, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rain, which could lead to flash flooding.
The State Emergency Service advises that people:
- Be aware that trees that have been damaged by heat or fire may be unstable and more likely to fall when it is windy or wet
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks
- Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads
- 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
- Stay informed monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency
Another, separate severe weather warning for heavy rain that covers Bendigo and Maryborough has not been lifted.
3.56pm
The warning area for severe thunderstorms has all but cleared Bendigo, as the storm activity moves quickly to the east and north-east.
The Bureau of Meteorology says the storms could cause damaging winds and heavy rain in the warning area over the next several hours.
Echuca is among the locations that could be affected.
3.45pm
The Bureau of Meteorology has released an updated severe weather warning for heavy rainfall.
The rainfall could lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding on Saturday afternoon and evening, with Bendigo and Maryborough among the locations that could be affected.
Bendigo received 7.2 millimetres of rain in less than 30 minutes.
Meanwhile Charlton received 15 millimetres in 15 minutes and a total of 24 millimetres since 9am, while Trentham recorded 27 millimetres since 9am.
A separate severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the region, including Bendigo, remains current.
2pm
A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for northern parts of the region, including Bendigo.
The Bureau of Meteorology says severe thunderstorms are developing, which are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.
The thunderstorms are developing in the Mallee and moving quickly southeast.
Bendigo, Rochester and Echuca are among the locations that could be affected.
An earlier warning for heavy and intense rainfall that could lead to dangerous flash flooding remains in place.
Earlier
Parts of central Victoria are subject to a severe weather warning for intense rainfall that could result in dangerous and possibly life-threatening flash flooding.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts rainfall totals of between 20 millimetres and 50 millimetres on Saturday, with isolated falls of up to 100 millimetres possible.
Maryborough is listed as one of the locations that could be affected.
The warning area extends across Castlemaine and Kyneton, and skims Bendigo.
Bendigo is forecast to receive rain on Saturday, most likely in the afternoon and evening, with a possible thunderstorm that could bring gusty winds and hail.
The expected rainfall is the result of a warm and very humid air mass moving across the state, although a cool change is expected to ease conditions later.
The State Emergency Service advises that people:
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks
- Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads
- 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
- Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency
Meanwhile, Saturday's fire danger in the Northern Country forecast district is severe.
In the North Central district it is very high, while in the Central district it sits at low-moderate.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.