Damaging winds spark Melbourne severe weather warning

Tens of thousands of Victorians were plunged into darkness after howling winds and heavy rain caused widespread power outages.

Wild weather has smashed Victoria, bringing down trees and power lines and leaving motorists stranded in their cars on Wednesday night.

Nearly all of Victoria — except for the Mallee region — was warned of damaging southerly winds averaging 50-60km/h. Some winds are expected to peak far higher.

A CFA spokesperson said residents in the Mt Dandenong area had copped the brunt of the damaging winds, with a number of homes impacted by falling trees.

The spokesperson said CFA crews had mobilised to rescue motorists and aid residents that had been injured by debris from the storm.

Fire Rescue Victoria told the Herald Sun they were dealing with downed power lines throughout the city and were isolating any dangerous sites until power crews were able to arrive.

A Victoria SES spokesperson said 86,000 Aus Net, 28,000 PowerCor and 12,000 United Energy customers were without electricity statewide.

As of 11pm, the SES had received over 1,800 calls for help in the past 24 hours to trees down, building damage and flooding.

The weather bureau said gusts of 119km/h had been recorded at Puckapunyal.

While 134mm of rainfall was recorded at Mt Tassie in South Gippsland with plenty more to come.

SES clearing the debris from a veranda that blew up onto the roof of this house in Woorite Place, Keilor East. Picture: Josie Hayden

Flood warnings are in place for large parts of state, stretching from the CBD north to the NSW border and east to Mallacoota.

Bureau of Metrologist forecaster Matthew Thomas said fierce winds would lash Melbourne on Wednesday night.

“What we’re really looking for much of the state is a building situation through today,” he said.

“Greater Melbourne is part of that warning area for a severe weather warning for damaging winds.

“We could see wind gusts getting up to 100km/h overnight (and) the Gisborne, Macedon and Kyneton area could see wind gusts get to 110 to 120km/h.

“Driving conditions will be dangerous through this evening and early tomorrow morning just because of the gusty winds and reduced visibility.”

The wild winds will also bring “reasonable rainfall” throughout Melbourne, while spots like Mt Baw Baw and Mt Bulla can expect some snow.

“So we’re going to see rain pick up overnight and it’s going to be 10-20mm for much of the Melbourne area,” Mr Thomas said.

“30 to 50mm around the Dandenongs and probably around 40 to 80mm about the Central ranges, so taking in the Macedon, Gisborne, Kyneton area all the way across to Kinglake.

“Areas like Warburton … and further to the east, we’re probably likely to see an even higher amount through those areas.”

But the rainfall could eventually wash away the snow at some of Victoria’s popular ski spots overnight — including Mt Baw Baw — with 150-200mm possible at the Great Dividing Range.

“The thing most likely to remove snow is rain,” he said.

“At first there will be snowfalls and then it will become rain a little bit later overnight.

“Into early tomorrow, it will tend more to rain particularly around Mt Baw Baw and Mt Bulla.

“It will be touch and go as to whether it’s rain or snow around Mt Hotham and Falls.”

Wet weather and autumn leaves fall in Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards

The mountains will also see some of the strongest winds, with wind gusts between 115 and 120 km/h forecast for the Alpine Peaks in the Central Highlands.

Mr Thomas said the wet weather was the result of a low pressure system which has developed off the coast of NSW, in the wake of an earlier cold front which passed through Victoria.

SES urged Victorians to stay safe and follow the basic safety tips, which can have deadly consequences if ignored.

“We always remind Victorians to drive to conditions when they’re on the roads, especially never to drive on flooded roads,” she said.

“There’s some significant rainfall expected so we’re reminding people to be aware of the potential for floods in some areas.”