Inclement weather in Melbourne Australia

[tropicana]

Big storm to hit Melbourne
By Jason Dowling
November 20, 2003 - 1:11PM



Melbourne will be hit by a severe thunderstorm this afternoon (Thursday), possibly causing flash flooding and hail damage, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

The Bureau issued a severe thunderstorm warning shortly before 1pm for Melbourne, Port Phillip, Geelong and the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas.

It said thunderstorms were rapidly developing directly over western suburbs of Melbourne and will continue to develop over the next hour. These thunderstorms were expected to produce flash flooding and could also produce large hail and damaging winds exceeding 90 km/h.

The SES recommended people secure any loose objects in the vicinity of their home and stay indoors if possible. If outdoors, people should avoid sheltering under trees. The warning also advised people to switch off computers and electrical appliances and not to drive vehicles through flooded areas.

The warning follows thunderstorms across South Australia's south-east last night (Wednesday) over turned two trucks, brought down trees, damaged homes and caused minor flooding.

The Country Fire Service said it responded to 40 calls for assistance after the storm hit at about 7.30pm (CDST).

Wednesday night Melbourne was spared the worst of overnight storms that lashed Warrnambool, Portland and the north-west of the state.

Wednesday night's severe storms damaged up to 40 homes, with the hardest hit area being at Cullulleraine near Mildura, State Emergency Service spokesman Peter center of circulation said.

Locals described the storm as being "like a tornado" as it ripped the roof off the general store, damaged about 12 homes and caused havoc in the local caravan park, he said.

Lake Cullulleraine RSL caravan park manager Rhonda Hards said the storm caused hundreds of thousands of dollars damage after hitting about 5.30pm (AEDT) yesterday.

"The yacht club was demolished - it was like a cyclone had hit it," Ms Hards said.

"Three caravans went over, the shop lost its roof, a couple of houses lost their roofs, sheds went down and a wall of the sports club was knocked down.

"My husband was in the caravan park when it hit... it was pretty scary," she said.

Scott Williams from the Bureau of Meteorology said the radar signature of the storm was a classic "hook echo", which indicated it may have been a tornado.

He said, it was fortunate the storm weakened by the time it reached Mildura city.

Mr center of circulation said the SES also responded to around 30 calls in Warrnambool and Portland, mainly to combat fallen branches and trees.

"We did have reports around 8pm Wednesday night of flash flooding in the south-west around Portland," he said.

Melbourne was spared the worst of the storms, he said.

On a warm and muggy night in the city, the temperature hovered around 30 until around 11pm when the storm arrived, dropping to around 20 for the rest of the night.

"Melbourne was just a lot lightning and loud banging from thunder," Mr Williams said.

"We haven't actually had physical reports of damage here," he said.

- with AAP

-justin-