http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/huge-hailstorm-strikes-melbourne/story-e6frf7jo-1225837662827Storms hit Melbourne
March 07, 2010 7:55PM
Thunderstorms and flash flooding have hit the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
South Morang and Sunbury are already experiencing the brunt of the bad weather, but the Bureau of Meteorology says it will not be as serve as yesterday’s storm.
“We’re not expecting it to be as bad as yesterday,” forecaster Scott Williams said.
They are forecast to affect Craigieburn, Sunbury and Whittlesea by 6:05 pm and Caulfield, Footscray, Greensborough, Melbourne City, Melton, Preston, St Albans and Werribee by 6:35 pm.
Very heavy rainfall and flash flooding are likely. Damaging winds and large hailstones are also possible.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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
Weather bureau manager weather services Victoria Ted Williams said a storm front was moving south across the state extending from Shepparton to Ballarat.
Shepparton was hit hard, while hail, fallen trees and large hail have been reported in the NSW town of Deniliquin.
Mr Williams said most of the intense activity had been recorded in Victoria's north so far and thunderstorms were likely to hit Melbourne’s northern suburbs between 7-8pm before moving across the city.
They will be less intense than initially expected.
“There is still a risk we will get some severe phenomenon as it gets to Melbourne,’’ Mr Williams said.
“But it certainly is not looking as active as it was.’’
A severe thunderstorm warning was also issued for damaging wind, flash flooding and large hailstones in other parts of Victoria.
It applies for people in the Northern Country, Northeast and parts of the North Central and Alpine Forecast Districts.
Premier John Brumby today urged Victorians to batten down the hatches
Mr Brumby warned people to stay inside during the possibly severe storms, and he said people at public events must be prepared to act if weather struck this afternoon.
"It really is batten down the hatches (with forecast) thunderstorms possibly as intense as yesterday,” Mr Brumby said."We got through yesterday without any loss of life or serious injury, we would want to see if we could keep to this today and tomorrow."
Mr Brumby said there were weak trees in many bushfire ravaged parts of Victoria and around the state that were vulnerable to strong winds.
"We should take great care as we move through this afternoon, tonight and into tomorrow and make sure we put this focus on protecting life and protecting public safety."
He said the roof of the arts centre had been badly damaged by yesterday’s storms and could cost up to millions of dollars to repair.
He was unable to put an estimated dollar figure on the expected repair bill, and said more damage is expected to be reported in the coming days when people return home from Labour Day holidays.
Crews from the NSW State Emergency Service have been drafted in to help their Victorian counterparts clean up the damage caused by the mini-cyclone storm that lashed Melbourne yesterday.
The storm cell unleashed itself on the city at 2.40pm, dumping 26mm of rain in less than an hour.
Last night the rain continued up to the Murray River, out to east Gippsland and across the west of the state.
The SES received about 3800 calls for help during yesterday’s violent storms, with 500 volunteers working on the clean up.
Spokeswoman Natasha Duckett said crews would spend today cleaning up.
``We'll be sandbagging and removing objects,’’ she said.
Melbourne Water spokesman Andrew McGinnes said yesterday's rain had reached water catchments but was not expected to see Melbourne’s water storage levels rise yet.
The O'Shannassy reservoir received 32.6mm, Upper Yarra 33.6mm and Thomson and Maroondah each about 20mm.
More rain and run-off would was expected to see catchment levels rise further, Mr McGinnes said.
Moomba resumed today, but the NGV has been forced to close as staff mop up.
Nineteen millimetres of rain bucketed down on the city in less than 18 minutes yesterday afternoon.
Hail pummelled city streets and brought traffic to a standstill, with some residents reporting hail stones as big as 5cm.
Southern Cross train station had to be evacuated as heavy rain tore a hole in its roof and a deluge splashed down on the train platforms.
Several people suffered serious injuries during the storms, while thousands of others suffered bruising and welts as they were showered with golf-ball sized hail.
At least one Melbournian suffered serious injuries after falling from a roof while trying to protect their house, while others are being treated in city hospitals for head injuries after slipping on an ice-covered footpath fleeing the rain.
Paramedics treated several people after falls as they tried to escape hail, but were not called to treat anyone suffering head injuries directly from hail strikes.
Ambulance officers were also called to the scenes of several people trapped in cars, however none of the drivers were seriously injured and were rescued by fire fighters.
St Johns Ambulance officers were kept busy treating and calming Moomba goers after receiving warning of the storm minutes before being pelted with ice, with reports one woman was treated for hypothermia following the soaked event.
- with Grant McArthur, Amelia Harris
