TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - MELBOURNE AREA
for DAMAGING WIND, FLASH FLOODING and LARGE HAILSTONES
For people in the South East, Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula and parts of the Inner, Eastern, Western, Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip Local Warning Areas.
Issued at 4:52 pm Friday, 3 December 2010.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:45 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Caulfield, Geelong City, Werribee, the area south of Bacchus Marsh, Balliang, the area south of Meredith, Corio, Bannockburn and Lara.
These thunderstorms are moving towards the south to southeast.
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They are forecast to affect Clayton, Frankston and Laverton by 5:15 pm and Dandenong, Glen Waverley and Hastings by 5:45 pm.
Damaging winds, very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* secure any loose objects in the vicinity of your home.
* 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 5:55 pm.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Central, East Gippsland, Northern Country, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland and parts of the Mallee, South West and Wimmera districts.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at
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