Severe Weather Warning For Melbourne And Victoria With Storms And Flooding
Stay indoors!
Melbourne has enjoyed a hot and sunny day, but the calm conditions look set to be replaced by some wilder weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a number of storm and flood warnings for Melbourne and Victoria.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - MELBOURNE AREA
for HEAVY RAINFALL
For people in the Port Phillip, Western Port, Inner, South East, Western, Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula and parts of the Inner East, Mornington Peninsula, Northern and Outer East Local Warning Areas.
Issued at 2:18 pm Thursday, 29 December 2016.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:15 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near French Island, Inverloch, Little River, Mordialloc, the area north of Bacchus Marsh, the area north of Ballan, the area north of Mt Macedon and the area northwest of Meredith. These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast. They are forecast to affect Bacchus Marsh, Cranbourne and Melton by 2:45 pm and Footscray, St Albans and Sunbury by 3:15 pm.
Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* 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.
* Stay indoors if possible.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* If you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
* Listen to the radio for storm updates
* Switch off your computer and electrical appliances
The next warning is due to be issued by 3:20 pm.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Central, Northern Country, North Central, West and South Gippsland and parts of the Mallee, South West, North East and Wimmera districts.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Flood Watch For Greater Melbourne Catchments (Werribee, Maribyrnong, Yarra, Dandenong And Bunyip)
Issued at 1:12 pm EDT on Thursday 29 December 2016
A low pressure trough over western Victoria will drift slowly eastwards during Thursday, reaching central districts Thursday night. The trough will clear eastwards on Friday as a low pressure system passes to the south of Tasmania.
Showers and storms, tending to areas of rain, are forecast for the Greater Melbourne catchments from Thursday evening into Friday. With the storm activity there is the potential for some very heavy falls. Rainfall totals of 20-40mm are forecast for the Greater Melbourne catchments with isolated totals around 50mm possible.
Stream rises are expected in response to the forecast rain, with the possibility of minor flooding developing in the Greater Melbourne catchments from late Thursday into Friday.
The Bureau of Meteorology in conjunction with Melbourne Water will continue to monitor the situation and issue catchment specific warnings if and when required.
Note: This Flood Watch means that people living or working along rivers and streams must monitor the latest weather forecasts and warnings and be ready to move to higher ground should flooding develop. Flood Warnings will be issued if Minor Flood Level is expected to be exceeded at key sites along the main rivers for which the Bureau of Meteorology provides a flood warning service. For detailed explanation see http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/flood/brochures/flood_watch/flood_watch.shtml
SES advises that all community members should:
- Never walk, ride or drive through floodwater,
- Never allow children to play in floodwater,
- Stay away from waterways and stormwater drains during and after heavy rain,
- Keep well clear of fallen power lines
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks, and heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
Current Emergency Information is available at http://emergency.vic.gov.au
For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
Current Road and Traffic Information is available at the VicRoads website: http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
for HEAVY RAINFALL
For people in the Central, Mallee, Northern Country, North Central, North East, Wimmera and parts of the East Gippsland, South West and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.
Issued at 11:52 am Thursday, 29 December 2016.
WEATHER SITUATION:
A trough of low pressure over western Victoria is forecast to move slowly eastwards across Victoria, reaching central districts this evening, then contracting to eastern Victoria Friday morning.
HEAVY RAIN which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast to affect most districts during the remainder of today and overnight tonight, mostly associated with thunderstorm activity.
The potential for heavy rain will clear western districts by late this afternoon as the trough moves to central Victoria.
Locations which may be affected include Mildura, Horsham, Bendigo, Shepparton, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water;
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains;
* 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;
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Thursday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.