source : the age
Andrew Lund, Melbourne Airport’s spokesperson, was just on 3AW, confirming the thunderstorms have caused disruptions at the airport.
It’s expected there will be flight delays for the rest of the afternoon and evening: That’s because Melbourne Airport got the ground staff off the tarmac out of an abundance of caution.
The airport received 17mm in just 18 minutes after 2pm today.
“Things have improved out here – I can see the control tower from where I’m standing, which I couldn’t see 40 minutes ago,” Lund said.
“We had thunder and lighting and very heavy lighting out here. That caused reduced visibility, which limited the number of aircraft that could get out. But the bigger problem was actually the lightning: We had to get ground staff off the tarmac – Safety is always the priority – so that brought ground operations to the halt.”
“Flights haven’t been able to load or unload, and had a few aircraft in holding patterns waiting for that weather to clear.”
Lund said at least one flight from Hobart has returned to Tasmania, which would lead to a three or four-hour delays. He said most flights would be delayed by anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.
The news we were all waiting for has just dropped. The SES has confirmed the threat from thunderstorms in the city and northern Melbourne has passed.
In the same update, the SES confirmed the storms have led to building damage, fallen power lines, fallen trees and branches and flash flooding. Full update below.
The Severe Thunderstorm Warning for North-western Melbourne including Melbourne City has been cancelled.
- This Advice replaces the Emergency Warning issued at 2:17pm.
- Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in this area, but other warnings remain current.
- Thunderstorms may redevelop. Further warnings will be issued if required.
- Stay informed via VicEmergency.
You can now return to normal activity. Stay informed and be aware of any hazards that may still exist, such as floodwater, debris, damaged buildings, trees down and fallen power lines.
What you should do:
- Floodwater is dangerous – never drive, walk or ride through floodwater
- Check your property for damage.
- Keep clear of damaged buildings, power lines and trees.
If you are driving:
- Be aware of road hazards including fallen trees, floodwater and debris on the road.
- Drive slowly and obey all road signs.
- If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater.
Our photographers are out and about capturing the drama. Here’s what Simon Schluter just filed from South Melbourne:
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne, and southern parts down to Poowong.
- Intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is likely.
- Dangerous thunderstorms were detected near Greensborough, Camberwell, Preston and Reservoir at 2.50pm.
- These thunderstorms are moving towards the south to southeast
- They are forecast to affect Glen Waverley, Ringwood, Lilydale, Gembrook, Mill Park and Bundoora by 3.05 pm.
- They are then forecast to affect Dandenong, Belgrave, Berwick and the area east of Pakenham and the area northeast of Pakenham by 3.20 pm.
- This emergency warning replaces emergency warnings issued at 2.44pm.
If you are in Glen Waverley, Ringwood, Lilydale, Gembrook, Mill Park, Bundoora, Dandenong, Belgrave, Berwick or the area east and south of Pakenham towards Koo Wee Rup and Poowong, you are in danger. You should immediately move indoors to stay safe.
We’re hearing reports of traffic lights not working on the major arterials Sydney Road, Camp Road and Mahoneys Road, due to a power outage. Motorists are advised to proceed with extreme caution.
Nearly 6000 properties are without power across the city, according to the energy distributors Jemena, CitiPower and United.
If you’re concerned about how the wild weather will affect your commute home, we’ll do our best to keep you abreast of the situation on our roads and rails here.
On the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD, the intersection of Dudley Street and Wurundjeri Way, near Festival Hall, is underwater, and drivers are being urged to avoid the area.
Even without the rain it’s a day of disruption in the city. Here’s a quick rundown. More on power outages in a moment:
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Craigieburn, Preston, Coburg, Mill Park, Greensborough, Whittlesea, Doncaster and surrounds.
- Intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is likely.
- Very dangerous thunderstorms were detected near Craigieburn at 2.30pm.
- These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast.
- They are forecast to affect Preston, Coburg and Mill Park by 2.45 pm and Greensborough, Whittlesea and Doncaster by 3.00 pm.
If you are in Craigieburn, Preston, Coburg, Mill Park, Greensborough, Whittlesea, Doncaster and surrounds, you are in danger. You should immediately move indoors to stay safe.
These same thunderstorms affected St Albans and Melbourne Airport about 2.20pm.
There is also an emergency warning for areas east of Melbourne:
- Intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding is likely.
- Very dangerous thunderstorms were detected near Healesville at 2.05pm.
- These thunderstorms are moving towards the southeast.
“Geez Louise, look at that rain!”
So said one of The Age’s editors just now, summing up the thoughts of many in the city, no doubt.
And the data confirms it: The Bureau of Meteorology reports Melbourne Airport just received 17 millimetres of rain in 18 minutes.
In the latest update, the State Control Centre’s Josh Gamble said it would be difficult to forecast exactly where the storms would hit and what sort of damage they would do.
“Early preparation is your best defence against storms,” Gamble said. “Flash flooding happens fast, it can occur within minutes, even if it’s not raining where you are,” he said, warning low-lying and creekside communities to be on alert.
The early signs suggest Gamble’s prediction of unpredictability was accurate: while Tullamarine was just battered, Olympic Park has received just four millimetres of rain since 2pm and Moorabbin none at all.
Good afternoon, hope you’re keeping dry.
Powerful thunderstorms could bring 40–70 millimetres of rain in six hours for parts of Melbourne and central Victoria.
We have begun this live blog to keep you abreast of warnings, any evacuations, road closures and public transport disruptions.
The Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers are among those which could be subjected to isolated and moderate flooding from Tuesday night.
Authorities are unsure of the location and timing of the heaviest rainfall, but “rapid creek and river level rises and flash flooding are possible in areas that receive the heaviest rainfall”.
