Melbourne and surrounding suburbs cop a soaking in peak-hour downpour
Melbourne is recovering from a drenching that saw more than 30mm of rain fall in 15 minutes, as a freak-storm swept across the city on Friday. And more is on the way—read the latest here.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne is recovering from a drenching of rain that saw more than 30mm fall in 15 minutes, as a freak-storm swept across the city yesterday afternoon.
And more rain is on the way, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of thunderstorms later this afternoon.
The SES had more than 720 callouts in 24 hours since Friday 9am.
SEVERE STORMS LOOM AS FLOOD CLEAN-UP BEGINS
7 MOVIES TO GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD
HAVE ANY PICTURES? SEND THEM TO NEWS@HERALDSUN.COM.AU
Richmond, Darley, Werribee, Bacchus Marsh and Hawthorn were the hardest hit, with the SES responding to 56 incidents in Richmond alone.
Of those callouts, 25 were to rescue people from their cars in flood water.
The Melbourne CBD received almost 35mm of rain between 5 and 5.30pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology Tom Delamotte said while there is a lull at the moment, there could be a peak in thunderstorm activity in the Melbourne area this afternoon.
“We still have an atmosphere which is holding quite a bit of water,” he said.
“We should see thunderstorms develop this afternoon right across the state.
“Any thunderstorms that move through are likely to move heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding.
“Areas which could potentially be most impacted are the eastern parts of Gippsland and potentially areas around central and south west of the state.
“Across metropolitan Melbourne we should see some showers and thunderstorms develop this afternoon with potential heavy falls.
“The activity will ease during the evening.
“Any thunderstorms are capable of producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding so people should stay aware of the situation and keep an eye on the radar.”
Yesterday streets turned to rivers trapping cars, public transport ground to a halt and afternoon commuters were left soaked.
“A millimetre a minute is very significant,” senior forecaster Richard Carlyon said.
“The peak of the storm activity has moved through Melbourne now.”
Newport station in Melbourne’s west remains closed due to flooding with buses replacing trains between Footscray and Laverton.
Late last night warnings were issued for severe storms with the potential for flash flooding in the Portarlington, Geelong and Ocean Grove areas.
Between 6 and 7pm, the SES was called more than 200 times to areas across Melbourne.
“The most affected suburb was Richmond for quite a while, but it’s now Werribee,” a spokeswoman said.
“Most calls have been for flooding.”
The SES reminded people trapped in their cars to stay out of floodwater wherever possible and wind down their windows, remove their seatbelts and call triple-zero immediately.
“If the water levels rise, get on the roof of your car,” an SES spokeswoman said.
“Only enter floodwater if you are trapped in your vehicle and it is starting to float away.”
PEAK-HOUR COMMUTER PAIN
Thousands of peak-hour passengers were stranded in the city due to heavy rain.
Trains on the Alamein, Glen Waverley and Lilydale lines were suspended, with services only resuming around 7pm.
Major delays continued on the Frankston and Sandringham lines into the evening, but services on the Belgrave and Craigieburn lines resumed.
In the west, buses are replacing trains between Footscray and Laverton/Williamstown due to flooding at Newport.
Passengers consider the use of alternative transport. More information, https://t.co/NUBM4OMjRl pic.twitter.com/SgwuO5gvHv
— Metro Trains (@metrotrains) December 14, 2018
Flinders Street underground or set of Titanic? #melbweather #9News pic.twitter.com/EEN8Q1V8h6
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) December 14, 2018
Most of Melbourne’s tram lines were also impacted by the downpour that soaked the city.
“Drivers won’t drive trams through water more than 10cm due to safety reasons,” a Yarra Trams spokeswoman said.
“We will keep services running where it is safe to do so.”
The spokeswoman advised commuters to check Twitter for the most up-to-date information about each route.
THOUSANDS OF HOMES WITHOUT POWER
Thousands of Victorians were left without power as the outages swept the state.
Point Cook, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Truganina were among the worst affect areas.
By 11.30pm 340 homes remained without power in Hoppers Crossing.
The storm also caused the ceiling of Richmond police station to collapse amid the wild weather.
SES crews are on scene at the Swan St station.
Thousands of peak hour passengers have been stranded in the city due to heavy rain.
— Wes Hosking (@WesHosking) December 14, 2018
Frankston and Sandringham line train services have been suspended between Flinders Street Station and South Yarra due to flooding â¦@theheraldsunâ© #melbweather pic.twitter.com/x9gxWCEVEc
Flooding has now entered into the Coles supermarket. Management have lost all sense of perspective now. #melbweather pic.twitter.com/UwcP6HNwX7
— Andrew Jacobs (@lexlomax) December 14, 2018
“Water is coming into the building and the kitchen ceiling has collapsed,” SES spokeswoman Susan Davie told the Herald Sun.
“We are responding to a lot of flooded houses in Richmond as well.”
Flash flooding is affecting many inner city suburbs with the SES inundated with more than 70 calls for help since 5.40pm.
“Our busiest units are Northcote, Malvern, Whitehorse and Manningham,” the spokeswoman said.
She said units were responding to many jobs in Hawthorn, Docklands and Richmond of people stuck in cars.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE WEEKEND
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Stuart Coombs said more than 20mm could fall on the CBD before 7pm.
“It is bucketing down out there,” he said. “There are severe thunderstorms from Lilydale down towards the city.
“Mainly heavy rainfall but some damaging wind gusts wouldn’t surprise either.”
You might be stuck at home and hungry with the flooding. But don’t worry, @Dominos_AU has got you with their all-weather delivery service 😉 #melbourneweather #melbweather pic.twitter.com/G9PTrAENrK
— Jyotee Patel (@jyotee) December 14, 2018
Yeah, it’s a bit wet#melbweather #melbstorm pic.twitter.com/t2C6qG69Nn
— Ryan M (@doc_ryan) December 14, 2018
The downpour put a dampener on Friday afternoon Christmas celebrations across the city and for those leaving work.
Damaging winds are also predicted for the evening.
People out and about enjoying end-of-year parties were advised to take cover and stay safe on the roads.
The rain is predicted to lessen today before picking up again later on Saturday.
“The day will start off with the odd shower or two but going into the afternoon things will warm up and intensity,” forecaster Coombs said.
“We may see a chance of thunderstorms through the afternoon and into the early evening.”
“It (the rain) takes a bit of the ho ho ho out of it I think,” the forecaster said.
Suburbs including Viewbank have been inundated today with more than 30mm falling since 9am this morning.
“The cell stretches from Docklands through Doncaster, Box Hill, even as far back as Ringwood, from about Preston to Viewbank,” Mr Coombs said.
It’s a bit wet #melbweather pic.twitter.com/Lb1Hd5fcBU
— Colby Swandale (@__colby___) December 14, 2018
WHO IS PORSCHE GUY?
A Porsche driver whose luxury car became submerged in flood waters in North Melbourne has escaped through the window.
The footage, captured by 9 News, shows the man in business attire scramble feet-first out of the driver’s window into the waist-deep floodwaters.
He makes sure he grabs his bag and suit jacket before leaving his car and wading to higher ground.
The white SUV was left submerged at Dudley St.
Don’t forget your jacket!
— Tom Kelly (@tpwkelly) December 14, 2018
(Old mate falls victim to the notorious Dudley Street underpass and Melbourne’s torrential downpour)... also don’t drive through floodwater! @9NewsMelb @9NewsAUS #melbweather #vicfloods pic.twitter.com/hLGbTlgttq
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.