A taxi lies under the water in this Footscray underpass. Picture: Richard Serong
Two cars lie under this flooded underpass in Footscray. Picture: Richard Serong
Flooded Underwood Rd in Boronia. Picture: Detlev Rueff
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UPDATE 5pm: MELBOURNE was pounded by a massive thunderstorm this afternoon.
Residents have reported hail stones as big as golf and tennis balls falling in various suburbs.
Flooding and heavy rain also sparked chaos on the roads.
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The weather bureau issued a severe thunderstorm warning for metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and parts of Geelong earlier today.
“Damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones are likely,” the weather bureau said.
It first detected “very dangerous” thunderstorms near Melton, St Albans, Sunbury and Werribee at 2.25pm.
The thunderstorms then moved across the northern and south-eastern suburbs, with wind gusts of up to 100km/h recorded at Melbourne Airport.
Leader reporter Jesse Wray-McCann said parts of Chadstone Shopping Centre’s roof caved in when the storm hit, with the complex flooded.
Centre staff cordoned off a section near the Myer department store after an exterior awning collapsed.
Several other shops were also reportedly rain-damaged.
Hail affected racing at Flemington, with the Australian Guineas and the Australasian Cup abandoned.
Trains to the racecourse were temporarily suspended because of flooding.
The storm forced the cancellation of an Ainslie Park cricket seniors final at a Heathmont cricket oval.
Hailstones measuring at least 2cm wide rained down on players as they ran for cover at Selkirk Reserve about 3.15pm.
Winds measuring more than 100km/h brought down trees and branches, several cars were hail-damaged and the car park was flooded during the height of the storm.
One parent said: “One minute the sky was bright, the next minute the wind hit, swirling the dust. The sky turned black and then the hail fell. The force of the hail was incredible.”
Carlton resident Chris Sheehan said he was worried hail stones “as big as golf balls” would break his flat’s windows.
“I’ve just seen a guy poke his head out of a restaurant and get hit by one of the hail stones,” he said.
The State Emergency Service people to:
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* secure any loose objects in the vicinity of your home.
* keep away from creeks and drains.
* do not drive vehicles through flooded areas.
* stay indoors if possible.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* if you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
* listen to the radio for storm updates
* switch off your computer and electrical appliances
Source: whereilive
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