Severe weather conditions hit Melbourne, causing flooding and traffic disruptions. In one incident, a man had to be rescued from his car by swift water rescue operators in Kensington. Another man was rescued when his car failed to start in knee-deep water on Lloyd Street. More than 53 millimetres of rain fell in the city in a 24-hour period, exceeding the average total rainfall for the entire month of April. The Dandenong Ranges recorded the highest rainfall in Victoria with 83 millimetres.
A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds in central and eastern Victoria was cancelled by midmorning on Tuesday, but before then, several roads in Melbourne were closed due to flooding. In Upper Ferntree Gully, lanes on Burwood Highway were blocked, and part of the South Gippsland Highway outbound in Dandenong South was closed temporarily. In Footscray and Preston, collisions caused further delays for commuters.
The wet weather also impacted events in Melbourne, with an AFL match between Geelong and Hawthorn briefly halted due to lightning strikes near the MCG. Lightning also forced staff at Melbourne Airport to seek shelter in safe areas. Daily rainfall records were broken across the state, with Mornington and Wonthaggi receiving the highest rainfall in 157 and 114 years, respectively. Showers were forecasted for Melbourne with a maximum temperature of 17 degrees on Wednesday, with a high chance of light showers in the morning and afternoon.
Overall, the severe weather conditions in Melbourne led to rescues, road closures, traffic disruptions, and record-breaking rainfall across the state. The prompt response of emergency services and swift water rescue operators helped ensure the safety of individuals affected by the flooding. As the city tries to recover from the storm, commuters and residents are advised to stay alert for any further weather updates and to exercise caution when traveling on the roads. While the worst of the weather may have passed, the lingering effects of the storm serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the environment and the need for preparedness in the face of such events.
