Heavy rain and thunderstorms disrupt travel, leading to road closures and emergency calls across the state

Victoria has been battered by wild weather, with thunderstorms and heavy rain sweeping across the state, leading to significant flash flooding in Melbourne and surrounding areas. The State Emergency Service (SES) reported receiving nearly 600 calls for assistance as the severe weather unfolded on Friday.

The rain has been particularly intense, with Frankston recording an astonishing 43 millimetres in just two hours on Friday morning. Melbourne Airport noted 34 millimetres in the north, while Moorabbin in the south-east also saw over 30 millimetres. Avalon, located in the west, matched the airport’s total with 34 millimetres. Geelong, a coastal city, experienced its highest daily rainfall in 13 years, with a total of 67 millimetres since 9 a.m.

Motorists faced perilous conditions, as many roads became impassable due to flash flooding. In Frankston, submerged vehicles were reported, requiring emergency services to pull them from flooded streets. The Monash Freeway, Melbourne’s busiest roadway, saw several outbound lanes closed near Toorak Road due to the rising water, causing heavy traffic congestion.

In addition to road disruptions, mid-afternoon ground operations at Melbourne Airport were temporarily halted due to thunderstorms, resulting in delays for passengers. A spokesperson confirmed that some flights were still able to take off and land, albeit at the discretion of the pilots.

While the SES had issued warnings about the potential for tornadoes in the state’s north-east, fortunately, no reports of such events have surfaced so far. As evening approaches, conditions are expected to stabilise, although authorities continue to urge Victorians to remain vigilant and monitor local weather updates.