Source: @beneltham (Twitter) Clifton Hill flash flooding. Source: Twitter
HUNDREDS of resident have called for help to mop up after storms that hit Melbourne this afternoon.
SES spokeswoman Sally Lowenstein said it had received 835 calls in the 24 hours to 7pm - 338 of those since 3pm today - as businesses and residents assessed the damage from hailstorms and flash flooding.
Fallen trees, hail and heavy drain caused property damage across the city.
Hail blocked a drain and flooded 1st Choice Liquor in Ringwood. Source: Supplied
“At least five SES rescues involved people attempting to drive through floodwater,” Ms Lowenstein said.
She said the storm moved in from the northern suburbs including Brunswick, Carlton, Collingwood and north Fitzroy, then hit Glen Waverley, Hawthorn, Collingwood before striking areas including Bayswater, Doncaster and Pakenham.
“The storm is now heading north east so it may hit some regional areas,” she said.
“Tonight will be a clean-up for most of our units. Some units had up to 80 requests for assistance so it’ll be a long night.”
Reader Michelle Diver’s children make the most of the hail in Rowville. Source: Supplied
Hail in Rowville. Picture: @MrsB, Twitter Source: Twitter
But the train network is almost back on track, with on three lines - Werribee, Belgrave and Lilydale - recording minor delays.
Lightening caused commuter chaos during peak hour, with the Alamein line suspended because of damaged tracks and signal equipment.
There were also delays of up to 90 minutes for travellers on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines and minor delays on the Craigieburn, Hurstbridge, South Morang, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.
It’s looking a lot like winter in Rowville. Picture: @SamanthaKDownie, Twitter ️ Source: Supplied
A man cleans away water from a mall in Camberwell. Picture: Jason Edwards. Source: News Corp Australia
Metro spokeswoman Larisa Tait said Camberwell was one of the worst-hit areas, with the storm damage causing a “knock-on effect” throughout the network.
“If you’re a driver on a Camberwell service tonight, you’d go out on that line and come back in and then do a service from Flinders St to Craigieburne, for example,” she said.
“But because of these huge delays, we’ve got drivers on shifts who aren’t in the position to drive the next train. This essentially has a knock-on effect throughout the network.”
Heavy to moderate rain is continuing to move across Victoria.
Earlier, flash floods and hailstorms caused havoc for evening drivers, with major Melbourne roads suddenly plunged under water.
A driver had to be rescued after becoming trapped in their car in flood waters at the intersection of Springvale Rd and Mount St, Glen Waverley, about 4pm.
Ambulance Victoria spokeswoman Lisa Hind said paramedics were called but the driver did not require treatment.
Flood water rushes down Camberwell Rd, Camberwell. Picture: @zdaniel/Twitter Source: Twitter
Heavy rain caused the roof of a Target store in Camberwell to collapse.
Shoppers were also evacuated from Barkly Square Shopping Centre.
A spokeswoman said: “Barkly Square today received minor roof damage and internal flooding as a result of heavy rain and hail this afternoon. The safety of our customers, retailers and staff are the immediate priority and as such the centre was evacuated with no injuries to anyone.
“Centre Management staff are continuing to attend to the damage caused and making the site secure and are not in a position to comment further at this stage.”
A carport collapse in Narre Warren South. Picture: Ben Sommers Source: Supplied
Parts of Clifton Hill, Hawthorn and Camberwell have been flooded, with shops inundated with water at Camberwell Junction.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued flood warnings for greater Melbourne as a strong cold front crossed the state.
Rainfall of 20-30mm is forecast for the eastern Melbourne catchments from tonight and into Wednesday, with warnings of flooding.
Forecaster Gary Missen said Melburnians should prepare for more wild weather.
Police patrol traffic after storms in Camberwell. Picture: Jason Edwards. Source: News Corp Australia
Storm clouds over Melbourne. Picture: Jason Edwards Source: News Corp Australia
A cyclist braves the big wet in St Georges Rd, Preston. Picture: Adam Elwood Source: News Corp Australia
Earlier, Ms Lowenstein said residents had noticed the flooding would ease after a few minutes of rain.
“There’s been a lot of rain but it’s moving quite quickly,” she said.
“Most of (calls to SES) have been for flooding and building damage.”
A tree fell on Lyndy Winter's house, just missing her sleeping son. Picture: Brendan Fancis Source: News Corp Australia
Hail in Mitcham. Picture: Supplied Source: Twitter
Crews also helped a large number of residents and business owners in the Broadmeadows town square, which was subjected to heavy flooding.
The SES is advising that people move their cars under cover or away from trees, secure or put away loose items around their houses, keep clear of fallen power lines and beware of fallen trees or debris on the road today.
People should also avoid driving, riding or walking through flood water and to keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
Lyndy Winter in her storm-damaged home. Picture: Brendan Francis. Source: News Corp Australia
The warning comes after wild winds lashed the state overnight.
A large tree crushed part of a Healesville home about midnight, causing significant damage.
The tree crashed through the tin roof of a bedroom in the house’s attic, narrowly missing resident Lyndy Winter’s sleeping son Tom, 22, as an exposed beam fell onto the bed.
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