Geelong weather: Severe thunderstorm lashes region
Local Aboriginal co-operative forced to postpone its January 26 event due to flood damage.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Heavy rain and flash flooding caused chaos across the region with the local Aboriginal co-operative forced to cancel its January 26 event.
On Wednesday, the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative revealed it would postpone the “Survival Day” event due to building damage caused by Tuesday’s intense weather.
Wathaurong’s chief executive officer Simon Flagg said its Morgan St office and carpark in North Geelong had flooded on Tuesday.
“We’ve had flooding throughout the area ... some of our buildings got flooded,” he said.
“The gravel on our carparking area has been washed away so it’s not safe anymore.”
Mr Flagg said there were plans for the event to be rescheduled at a later date but encouraged locals to attend other “Survival Day” events in Melbourne or Ballarat.
“For us, this is a day of remembrance, memorial and reflection,” he said.
The wild weather caused havoc on roads across Geelong on Tuesday with sections of Latrobe Terrace and the Esplanade flooded.
While commuting home from work, cars were seen floating through flood waters.
One local resident said on social media “it was the scariest drive home.”
Early Wednesday, an SES spokesperson said there had been 214 requests for assistance in Geelong since 2pm on the previous day.
The spokesperson said the majority of calls came in about 3pm with Corio and Norlane hardest hit by the deluge.
In the 12 hours to 6.30am, there had been 37 calls for help for flooding (12), building damage (9) and trees down (5).
On Wednesday morning, more than 1200 homes across the region remained without power after the heavy rain and flash flooding.
As of about 6.30am, about 1160 homes in Norlane were yet to have their power restored, 70 in Drysdale and 51 in Freshwater Creek.
A number of council-run facilities were forced to closed on Tuesday due to flooding and power outages including Waterworld, Leisuretime Sports Precinct, Kardinia Aquatic Centre and Lara Aquatic Centre.
Waterworld in Norlane remained closed on Wednesday as council worked to clean up the flooding.
Council reminded residents to never drive, walk or cycle through floodwaters.
EARLER: Flash flooding has caused traffic chaos across Geelong with one popular pub left underwater, a shopping centre closed and multiple homes and cars damaged.
An SES spokeswoman said 12 people had been rescued due to the deluge, with a total of 177 requests for assistance issued between 2pm and 6.40pm.
There is still 68 of those cases active.
Corio was the hardest hit suburb with 17 calls for help.
There are reports one North Geelong childcare centre had part of its roof cave in and water flow into the building’s entrance area.
It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology issued a fresh severe thunderstorm warning for parts of the Surf Coast and Otways at 5.30pm, including Winchelsea, Lorne, Beeac and surrounds.
Residents of these areas were urged to “immediately move indoors” at 4.30pm.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours,” the warning states.
“Thunderstorms are no longer expected to produce intense rainfall. There is no longer a risk of dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.
The thunderstorm began lashing the Geelong region shortly after 2pm with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a severe weather warning.
By 4pm more the 24mm had come down at the Geelong Racecourse and Lara, while 30mm was recorded further down the coast at Anglesea.
In the CBD, Johnstone Park was quickly underwater and on the waterfront, torrents streamed along roads and footpaths.
Multiple cars, both parked and on the roads, were caught in floodwaters.
The Sphinx Hotel, in Thompson Rd, was forced to shut when water started pouring inside the venue.
“It was massive flooding,” a spokeswoman from the Sphinx Hotel said.
“We had everyone on a broom and helping out, it just came down really fast.
“The sports bar has been closed and will probably remain closed overnight.”
The Corio Village Shopping Centre was also closed as a result of the storm.
The rain also caused traffic chaos with roads shut in multiple locations and traffic lights out.
More than 3300 households in and around central Geelong were experiencing a power outage.
Independent severe weather forecaster Dennis Luke said more rain was predicted for Geelong.
“The flash flooding event was indicative of the La Nina weather event,” he said.
“It came down fast and didn’t let up.”
Regional Roads Victoria also issued a warning to motorists in the Geelong area.
“Due to flash flooding, several major roads in Geelong have closed,” the statement said.
“Never drive through flood water, cars can float in as little as 15cm of water.”
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Tuesday afternoon, with flash flooding reported in a number of suburbs including Bell Park, Hamlyn Heights, North Geelong and Corio.
As of 2.15pm on Tuesday, more than 3300 households in and around central Geelong were experiencing a power outage.
According to Powercor, the cause was under investigation and restoration was estimated for around 5pm.
“At 1.40pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Anakie East and Lara,” it said.
Wait for it âš¡ï¸â›ˆï¸ @geelongaddy pic.twitter.com/cxDjM90Q7j
— Chelsea Bunting (@chelseambunting) January 24, 2023
“These thunderstorms are moving towards the east.
“They are forecast to affect Beacon Point, the You Yangs and the area east of Lara by 2.10pm and waters off Portarlington, the area south of Werribee and the area west of Werribee by 2:40pm.”
Thunderstorms and heavy rain was also affecting the Bellarine Peninsula with damaging winds expected at Ocean Grove.
The waters off Pt Wilson and Portarlington are also being affected.
More Coverage
Originally published as Geelong weather: Severe thunderstorm lashes region
Paraglider crashes near Bells Beach
A paraglider has crash landed on rocks near Bells Beach on Saturday with emergency services rushing to the scene.
‘Had a gutful’: Pub staff fume over claims of police no-show
Staff at a hotel in Geelong’s north allege police were “too busy” to attend an attempted theft, and say it’s not the first time.