Woah, new storm warning issued:
DV65752
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Victoria Regional Office
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - MELBOURNE AREA
for FLASH FLOODING
For people in the Inner, South East, Eastern, Northern, Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula, Mornington Peninsula, Outer East, Port Phillip, Western Port and parts of the Western Local Warning Areas.
Issued at 8:43 pm Sunday, 7 March 2010.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 8:40 pm, very heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Camberwell, Caulfield, Craigieburn, Dandenong, Glen Waverley, Greensborough, Melbourne City, Preston, Ringwood, Queenscliff and Lorne. They are forecast to affect Footscray, Frankston, Pakenham, St Albans and Sunbury by 9:10 pm and Melton, Rosebud and Werribee by 9:40 pm.
Very heavy rainfall and flash flooding are likely.
Rainfall totals of around 30mm in 30 minutes have already been recorded in some northern suburbs of Melbourne including Mill Park, Mernda and Craigeburn over the last 2 hours.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* keep away from creeks and drains.
* do not drive vehicles through flooded areas.
* stay indoors if possible.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* if you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
* listen to the radio for storm updates
* switch off your computer and electrical appliances
The next warning is due to be issued by 9:45 pm.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the North Central, Central and parts of the Northern Country, Northeast, West and South Gippsland, Western and Alpine districts.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at
www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 217. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
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