DAMAGING winds and heavy rain could lead to flash flooding over parts of Melbourne as the city braces for severe thunderstorms this morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an alert urging people to prepare for several hours of intense weather.
Duty forecaster Peter Blake said the storms were expected to strike during peak hour and last for up to two hours before drifting east.
Suburbs from Whittlesea, down past Mornington, and as far east as Gembrook face an immediate threat of chaotic wind and rain.
"We could see gusts of up to 90km an hour," Mr Blake said.
"(And) potentially in and around Melbourne we will could get up to 40mm of rainfall."
He said the northeast of the state could see up to 50mm of rainfall today.
The weather bureau has also issued a floodwatch for rivers in the northeast.
"The rivers don't drop that quickly so it doesn't take much rainfall to put it over the edge again," Mr Blake said.
The State Emergency Service is bracing for a busy morning, and is warning residents to take cautionary steps when venturing out this morning.
The SES is urging people to stay indoors if possible, secure loose objects around the home, keep clear of fallen powerlines, and not to drive through flooded areas.
Mr Blake said an east-moving trough was pulling the wild weather across and Victorians could expect thunderstorms into the afternoon and evening.
More to come.
angus.thompson@news.com.au
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