Flash storm hits Lara, Corio after city swelters through hot weather

A flash storm hit the city’s north on Tuesday with more than 5600 homes and businesses left without power.

A tree down in Lara following a freak storm.

A flash storm hit the city’s north on Tuesday after the region sweltered through hot, windy conditions.

Thunder, heavy rain and strong winds lashed Lara and Corio just after 2pm.

A number of trees had been uprooted and were lying across roads.

Power poles were also down and fences had been damaged in the storm.

Justin Putterer said the storm was “very intense”.

“It was like nothing I’ve seen before,” he said.

Storms and wild weather hit Lara. Picture: David Smith.

Mr Putterer said he remembered his car windows were open when the storm hit so ran outside to close them.

“I ran outside only to be hit with a mass amount of rain and hail,” he said.

“The hail came out of nowhere ... it was quite sharp.”

Storms and wild weather hit Lara. Picture: David Smith.

Mr Putterer said trees and power poles were down in his area.

A Lara resident said the strong winds caused a trampoline to fly into her front yard.

A trampoline blew into a Lara resident's front yard.

Corio SES received 69 calls for help from midnight to 2.30pm on Tuesday, including 69 for trees down across roads and properties and 19 for building damage.

A majority of calls were requests for help in the Lara area.

More than 5600 homes and businesses in the city’s north were left without power and not expected to get back onto the grid before 10.30pm, according to Powercor.

A watch and act alert was issued for parts of the state for severe thunderstorms.

Residents were warned to park their cars under shelter and away from trees and stay indoors until the wild weather passed.

Lara reached a high of 41C on Tuesday while Geelong reached 40C, according to the weather bureau.

Cooler conditions are forecast for Wednesday, with Geelong to hit 19C.

Originally published as Flash storm hits Lara, Corio after city swelters through hot weather