Warning issued for damaging winds and heavy rain across Victoria

Warning issued for people in the Central, Mallee, South West, North Central, Wimmera and parts of the East Gippsland, Northern Country, North East and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts.

A low pressure system centred just west of Adelaide is forecast to move southeastward this morning, to be located southwest of Portland by midday Wednesday, before moving further away to the southeast and weakening.

Damaging winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h are expected across the Mallee, Wimmera and Southwest districts during Wednesday morning.

Peak wind gusts of 120 km/h are possible in elevated areas.

Winds are expected to ease from the west during the afternoon, extending to Alpine areas overnight into Thursday.

Flash flooding is possible for western parts of the Mallee, Wimmera and Southwest districts during Wednesday morning.

There is also a chance of heavy rainfall and damaging winds associated with thunderstorms, most likely over northwest Victoria during Wednesday afternoon.

Locations which may be affected by damaging winds include Mildura, Horsham, Warrnambool, Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne. 

The State Emergency Service advises that people should: 

• Move vehicles under cover or away from trees; 
• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony; 
• Keep clear of fallen power lines; 
• Don’t walk, ride or drive through flood water; 
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains; 
• Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks; 
• Be alert that in areas recently affected by fires, heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads

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