SES crews were forced to call for police back-up because drivers failed to heed their warnings about floodwaters last night.

The volunteers were trying to warn people not to drive through flooded stretches of road but had to ask police to help guard the scene after some "unpleasantness", Bendigo SES member Natalie Stanway said.

"We had what has been described to me as 'strong push-back' from some members of the public," she said.

It was incredibly disappointing, Ms Stanway said.

"I appreciate that people might want to get home. Maybe they have pets or a family member and their house might be just over the other side of the floodwaters," she said.

"But if emergency services are there and telling you to stop there is a reason for it. If you disobey them and go into the water and get into trouble they are obliged to rescue you."

Ms Stanway said some people clearly did not understand just how dangerous their actions were.

She thanked those who did comply with emergency crews' directions.

SES volunteers were kept busy across the city last night with businesses and homes flooded.

Heavy rains got into multiple property's ceilings and crews were called to help out as plaster started collapsing.

Ms Stanway thanked fellow emergency crews - especially the Golden Square CFA brigade - which took jobs off of SES hands so that her crews could focus on specialist responses to certain jobs.

8.45am

A "HUMID and unstable" air mass is poised to roll through the region today.

Severe thunderstorms are possible in Bendigo, Castlemaine and Maryborough, the Bureau of Meteorology is warning.

Bendigo can expect a maximum of 31 and the chances of a thunderstorm this afternoon, with a 60 per cent chance of rain.

If the storms come they will be slow moving and heavy rainfall is possible, the BOM says.

Thunderstorms are possible further north as far as Echuca but they will likely not be as intense as the southern patch of central Victoria.

Friday, 6.20am

POWER has largely been restored after widespread outages last night.

Nearly 80 people are without power due to a lightning strike near Raywood. Properties in Raywood, Drummartin and Kamarooka are affected.

Powercor is also investigation several faults east of Bendigo, including one in Toolleen that has impacted 32 people.

Thousands of people were left without power last night around Bendigo and Kyneton.

Heavy rains triggered flash flooding and the SES was called to at least 30 jobs.

Thursday, 9.30pm

ABOUT 9,500 homes are without power after heavy storms hit central Victoria.

Castlemaine, Campbells Creek, Barkers Creek, Harcourt and Taradale are among the areas worst affected, with thousands without power.

Homes in Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square, Lockwood, Maiden Gully and Axedale are also without electricity.

Power is expected to be restored between 11pm and 12.30am to most areas.

9pm

EMERGENCY services have warned motorists to stop driving through floodwaters after heavy rain hit Bendigo.

Flash flooding has been reported in parts of Bendigo.

Bendigo State Emergency Services deputy controller Natalie Stanway put in a serious request to motorists to avoid the water-logged streets.

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"We have a number of locations around Bendigo that are temporarily flooded, it may not look like much, people may feel they know the local streets," Ms Stanway said.

"Floodwater is never safe. We urge people to not drive through them."

The SES had been called to about 30 jobs since the rain began, all related to heavy falls.

About half of these were building damage.

Ms Stanway said this ranged from water entering a garage to premises with partial ceiling collapse.

She thanked the Golden Square Country Fire Authority for sending two vehicles with crews to help with sandbagging requests.

8.30pm

FLASH flooding is reported in parts of Bendigo after heavy rainfall hit the area.

Video footage shows roads covered by water near Big Hill.

The State Emergency Services warns people to stay away from trees, drains gutters, creeks and waterways in the event of heavy rain.

If driving conditions are dangerous, pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying area and floodwaters.

Never drive through floodwater.

8pm

THOUSANDS are without power after heavy storms hit central Victoria.

Electricity has gone out to homes in Eaglehawk, Ironbark, Elphinstone, Metcalfe, Faraday, Malmsbury, Kyneton and surrounding areas.

7.30pm

HEAVY rain has hit Bendigo as storms move across the state.

Thunder, lightning and pounding rain began about 7pm.

The emergency services have been called out to a number of incidents of flooding and trees down.

Despite the heavy weather Bendigo's official rainfall reading is just 0.8 millimetres, taken from the airport.

Earlier

Bendigo and most of central Victoria fall within the warning area for severe thunderstorms expected to develop over Thursday afternoon and evening.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a warning for storms likely to produce heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.

Bendigo and Maryborough are among the locations named as those that could be affected, although the warning area also covers Castlemaine, Kyneton and Daylesford.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

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