Flash flooding, cars stranded in Melbourne as heavy storms hit
Heavy rain at Port Melbourne last week. Photo: Twitter/Peter Jenkins. Photo: Twitter/Peter Jenkins
Victoria’s State Emergency Service has responded to more than 1800 calls for help after wild weather caused havoc across the state.
The ABC reported that 41 motorists had to be rescued after becoming trapped on flooded roads in Melbourne overnight.
Thanks for your patience last night. Hard to believe the difference 12hrs makes – WRR at 6.45pm yesterday & clear at 730am today #victraffic pic.twitter.com/7omUC6qf1w
— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) December 29, 2016
At the height of the storm about one millimetre of rain was falling per minute, causing rivers to burst their banks.
There was flash flooding in several Melbourne suburbs and the heavy rain caused flight delays and disrupted metropolitan and country rail services.
The roof of a Frankston house collapsed and SES state duty officer Andrew Murton said several motorists had to be rescued after attempting to drive across flooded roads.
“There is a lot of water around with the flash flooding that has occurred,” he said.
Sections of the Western Ring Road and the Tullamarine Freeway were closed in both directions while services on all major rail lines are delayed with the Pakenham and Stony Point lines suspended.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded 18.4 millimetres of rain in 10 minutes at Oakleigh South and 14.6mm of rain in 10 minutes at St Kilda.
Drains and roads in #StKilda struggling with #tropical #rains in #Melbourne @abcnewsMelb @abcnews @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/tF9yPiTPVu
— Iskhandar Razak (@Isk137) December 29, 2016
Glen Iris, Port Phillip and Moorabbin worst hit
The most affected areas in Melbourne were Glen Iris, Port Phillip and Moorabbin, emergency services said.
Earlier, flooding caused major delays on the Frankston and Sandringham train lines and affected tram routes.
Flights in and out of Melbourne Airport were also delayed but are now operating as usual.
Emergency services have issued flash flood warnings, including for catchments areas at Werribee, Maribyrnong, Yarra, Dandenong and Bunyip.
Storm clouds gather over Melbourne before a deluge. Photo: ABC
VicRoads said several major roads had experienced flooding, including the Western Ring Road at Tullamarine, the West Gate Freeway outbound at Kings Way, Albert Road at Canterbury Road and Queens Road.
Buckley Street at Footscray, York Street in South Melbourne and Geelong Road were also flooded.
Emergency services have warned motorists not to drive through flood waters.
Despite warnings, this P-plate driver thought they would tackle flood waters under the York Street Bridge… #9News pic.twitter.com/L1S5tN84An
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) December 29, 2016
Not a boat in the Yarra, but a train stuck in floodwater at Ivanhoe station #melbweather #metro pic.twitter.com/WZVSytXOYq
— Courtney Lai (@DrCourtney329) December 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/BurimAdemioffic/status/814357157881774084
https://twitter.com/maskitmati/status/814336170167517184
Storms now over #Melbourne eastern suburbs. Clarkefield (north of Sunbury) earlier recorded 40.4mm in 15 min. Radar: https://t.co/KdODbdxzds pic.twitter.com/DJpsLgeQA6
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/pressdarling/status/814339207225348096
Flash flooding #Melbourne need a bigger boat pic.twitter.com/UmlOa3yDvw
— Gus (@AuthorGusPegel) December 29, 2016