Storms, winds and floods to lash Victoria

Victorians have been warned to brace for wild weather over the next 24 hours, including storms, damaging winds and possible flooding.

Wild and wet weather is set to lash Victoria over the next 24 hours, bringing storms, strong winds and possible flooding.

A severe weather warning has been issued for damaging winds and potentially heavy rain, including in the Melbourne area, on Friday.

The heaviest falls will most likely be in the eastern and southern suburbs, while the north of Melbourne will be the windiest, the weather bureau predicts.

The worst conditions will hit Melbourne in the early hours of Friday, followed by a second burst potentially arriving late morning and into the afternoon.

Statewide, the severe weather warning will extend across the central and eastern districts.

Rainfall totals are expected to be between 20mm-40mm, likely increasing to 40mm-70mm across the northeast, Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Diana Eadie says.

“With thunderstorms we could see significantly higher totals, potentially localised totals in excess of 100mm,” Ms Eadie says.

Damaging winds gusting around 90km/h and potentially more than 110km/h over elevated areas are also forecast across the area.

The SES says Victorians need to be prepared for heavy rains. Picture: Alex Coppel

A flood watch is in place across north east Victoria, extending from the Upper Murray to the Goulburn. Minor to moderate flooding is expected there overnight on Friday and into Saturday.

“We’ve seen very wet conditions over the past week, and the grounds and river catchments are already wet,” Ms Eadie says.

“That means with this rainfall we’re more likely to see further riverine rises.”

The weather is expected to clear up moving into Sunday, with more stable and cooler conditions.

“This system is being caused by a deepening trough and approaching low pressure system with a link to more tropical moisture,” Ms Eadie says.

“As we move into Saturday this system will move towards the east. With that we’ll start to see a clearing trend.

“There’s still a potential for some heavy falls overnight in the northeast on Saturday, but as we move towards the second half of Saturday and into Sunday, conditions will ease.”

The SES urges not to drive through floodwaters.

VICTORIANS URGED TO PREPARE FOR WILD WIND, RAIN

SES Victoria deputy chief officer David Baker said the next 48-72 hours will be challenging as the state deals with the impact of potential storms, heavy rain and floods expected in the state’s northeast.

Mr Baker urged Victorians, especially those in Melbourne and the state’s northwest and northeast, to be on alert, secure any loose items around the house and prepare for potential flash flooding.

“We know there’s going to be heavy rains. People across Victoria need to be prepared for that,” he said.

He urged people not to drive through floodwaters and instead simply pull over with hazard lights on and wait for any storms to pass.

“If you enter flooded waters you can easily be carried through and start sinking, and it becomes a very life-threatening situation,” he said.

“Flash flooding can occur anywhere. The simple message is do not enter flooded waters.”

In the last financial year, the SES Victoria rescued 175 drivers caught on flooded roads.