7.45pm
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FLASH flood warnings have been downgraded for Wycheproof, Charlton, Wedderburn, Warracknabeal and surrounding areas.
VicEmergency has said the immediate threat of fast rising flash floodwater has passed but warned residents should stay aware of any damage caused by the flooding.
This is the final warning for the area.
According to the Powercor website, power has been restored to all parts of Bendigo.
6.30pm
WATER damage to Bendigo homes has been the main callout for SES volunteers on Thursday afternoon.
Darren Masters and Matthew Heard responded to a callout at the Bendigo Advertiser office due to water damage.
Mr Masters said the significant rainfall had affected residential properties and businesses across the region.
"The water just can't get away in those types of scenarios when it's so heavy," he said. "The gutters are only designed to hold so much water.
"We just encourage people to keep an eye out for their gutters and keep them clean because that will help in situations like this."
Mr Masters said there were a couple of trees down in Bendigo and some minor flash flooding.
He encouraged motorists to take extra care on the roads.
6.20pm
PARTS of the Loddon Shire are underwater as a result of the Wednesday's storms.
The Goldfields Police Service Facebook page shared this photo from the Wedderburn Police Station.
6.15pm
POWER has been restored to more than 2000 properties across Bendigo.
There were originally 1575 customers in Flora Hill without power, along with 828 properties in Kennington and 167 homes in Quarry Hill.
Related news: Storms rip through Bendigo, BOM warns more to come
As of 6pm, there were 52 properties left in Flora Hill without power.
The cause of the blackout was under investigation. Power should be restored to those properties by 9pm.
6.10pm
BENDIGO SES has responded to 20 requests for assistance in the past 24 hours, an SES spokesperson says.
In the last seven days, there have been 107 calls, predominantly for flooding, building damage, and trees down.
"Volunteers have been working very hard to assist in any way they can," the spokesperson said.
"This is a timely reminder that winds of these speeds could cause additional damage and trees to fall.
"Wet conditions are expected to continue, so people are reminded to take care on the roads and around their homes."
6.04pm
AN URGENT flash flooding warning has been issued for Castlemaine, Campbells Creek, and surrounding areas.
VicEmergency has warned that heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding in those areas.
People in those areas have been told that they are in danger. They should move indoors and away from floodwaters.
In an emergency, call 000. For emergency assistance from the SES, call 132 500.
5.47pm
FIRE Rescue Victoria was called to Bendigo's Sacred Heart Cathedral amid reports of fire as a result of a lightning strike, the Bendigo Advertiser understands.
Fire crews are on scene investigating the reports. There is no visible sign of smoke.
5.45pm
THERE has been a rapid influx of calls to VicSES in the Kennington, Flora Hills, White Hills and Golden Square areas.
At a press conference after last week's storm Emergency Minister Jaclyn Symes called for patience when contacting SES Victoria as they were experiencing an increased demand of calls.
If it is an emergency please contact 000.
5.40pm
MORE than 20 millilitres of rain has fallen in Bendigo since 5pm, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
The VicEmergency website shows dozens of homes around the region requesting assistance for flooding or building damage.
The Bendigo Creek levels were also rising rapidly on Thursday afternoon as a result of the heavy rainfall.
There has been 31.2 millilitres of rain in Bendigo since 9am.
5.30pm
AN URGENT flash flooding warning has been issued for Wycheproof, Charlton, Wedderburn, Warracknabeal and surrounding areas.
VicEmergency has warned that heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding in those areas, including parts of the Calder Highway.
People in those areas have been told that they are in danger. They should move indoors and away from floodwaters.
In an emergency, call 000. For emergency assistance from the SES, call 132 500.
5.10pm
MORE than 2500 properties across Bendigo are without power as storms lash the region for the second time in a week.
The Powercor website showed 1575 customers in Flora Hill have lost power, while 828 properties in Kennington and 167 homes in Quarry Hill also have outages.
The power company is investigating the cause of the blackouts.
Powercor is estimating that power will be restored by 1.50am on Thursday.
5pm
THE severe thunderstorm warning issued earlier Wednesday has been re-issued for Bendigo and parts of central Victoria, this time including threats of flash flooding.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Swan Hill, Kerang, Bendigo, Maryborough, Castlemaine and Kyneton.
Walpeup recorded 21.6mm in the 10 minutes to 12:43pm.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
- 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.
- Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
- Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. 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.
- Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
4.40pm
An emergency flash flooding warning has been issued for the St Arnaud area as storms moved through the area on Wednesday afternoon.
"Floodwater from St Arnaud Creek is entering surrounding properties,' the warning said.
"Flash floodwater can be very deep, powerful, rise quickly and move fast.
"If you are located in St Arnaud, you should immediately move away from floodwater."
If you are inside:
- Stay inside if it is safe to do so and monitor conditions.
- If floodwater comes inside, move to a higher point such as a kitchen bench or second story.
- Follow your emergency plan, if you have one.
- Contact family members and neighbours to ensure they are aware of the situation, if safe to do so.
If you are outside:
- You should try to shelter in a safe place indoors.
- If you cannot shelter indoors, stay well away from trees, drains, low lying areas and floodwater.
If you are driving:
- Floodwater is dangerous - do not drive through floodwater.
- Find alternative travel routes if roads or underpasses are flooded.
- Be aware of road hazards such as mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
- If driving conditions are dangerous, pull over in a safe location away from trees, drains, low lying areas and floodwater.
- You should try to shelter in a safe place indoors.
You should stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings.
Call Triple Zero (000) in a life threatening emergency. For emergency assistance from the SES call 132 500.
3pm
THE Bureau of Meteorology has updated its weather warning, with central Victoria likely to avoid severe thunderstorms and flash flooding.
The warning is still in place for areas including Ouyen, Swan Hill, Kerang, Robinvale, and Birchip.
12.50pm
SEVERE thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in central Victoria, including Bendigo over the next several hours.
A Bureau of Meteorology alert said the thunderstorms were likely to produce heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Swan Hill, Stawell, Warracknabeal, Bendigo and Maryborough.
Earlier
A SEVERE weather warning for damaging northerly winds is expected this morning in parts of central Victoria.
The winds will average 50 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h in the west of the warning area, extending to remaining parts of the warning area before sunrise.
Related:
The winds are expected to clear by late Wednesday morning.
Locations which may be affected include Kyneton, Ballarat, Daylesford, Bacchus Marsh and Mt Baw Baw.
The warning comes after the region was hit by similar conditions last week that brought down trees and powerlines and left many homes and businesses without power across the weekend.
The State Emergency Service has issued the following safety tips for people in the warning area:
- 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.
- Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
- Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. 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.
- 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 website/app/hotline.
The next severe weather warning will be issued by 11am AEDT Wednesday.
If you need SES, please call 132 500.
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Alex Gretgrix
Journalist based in Bendigo, Victoria, covering health and a few local shires at the Bendigo Advertiser. Contact via alex.gretgrix@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Journalist based in Bendigo, Victoria, covering health and a few local shires at the Bendigo Advertiser. Contact via alex.gretgrix@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Allanah Sciberras
Journalist reporting on crime, local council and general news for daily newspaper, The Bendigo Advertiser. Contact me via allanah.sciberras@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Journalist reporting on crime, local council and general news for daily newspaper, The Bendigo Advertiser. Contact me via allanah.sciberras@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
