Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central, Northern Country, North Central, North East and parts of East Gippsland, South West, West and South Gippsland, Mallee and Wimmera Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:54 pm Monday, 1 April 2024.
Heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts continuing about parts of Victoria.

Weather Situation: A strengthening cold front moving across the southeast of the country will continue to trigger thunderstorms across the state tonight. These thunderstorms will shift east overnight into Tuesday morning as an upper trough drags down moisture from northern Australia, leading to a risk of heavy rainfall.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast with thunderstorms and areas of rain for western and central parts of the warning area during this evening, shifting to eastern parts overnight into Tuesday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 to 50 mm are likely, with isolated falls of 70 mm possible.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible across the central and northeastern ranges from this evening.

Heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts are forecast to ease below warning thresholds during Tuesday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne.

24mm has been recorded in the 30 minutes to 10:30pm at Diggers Rest

20.4 mm have been recorded in the 30 minutes to 3pm at Lillicur (Bet Bet Ck).

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.