Victoria storms: flood rescues and hundreds of reports of building damage | Australia weather

Victoria’s emergency services fielded almost 500 requests for help as thunderstorms, damaging winds and heavy rain pummelled Melbourne’s western suburbs and the centre and east of the state.

There were close to 250 reports of building damage and 110 flood-related incidents in the 24 hours to 7am, the State Emergency Service said.

More than 60 call-outs related to trees down on roads during the wild storms.

There have been four flood rescues since midday on Monday, according to an SES duty officer, Erin Mason.

“Mainly it’s been people driving through flood water,” Mason said. “So just a reminder to people to never drive through flood water. If the road is flooded I encourage people to stop, turn around and find an alternate path.”

Mason expected the number of callouts to rise in coming hours as the weather system heads east and more residents wake up to find damage at their homes.

A woman at Daylesford in central Victoria had a narrow escape after falling into a stormwater drain just before 9pm. She fell down an embankment and was carried by fast-flowing water until she grabbed hold of a metal pole, according to Victoria police.

The 58-year-old tried to call for help but couldn’t be heard over the sound of rushing water. She was eventually able to climb to safety, suffering minor cuts and bruises.

The western suburbs of Melbourne including Melton, and parts of Geelong, were among the areas hardest hit overnight.

A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts remains in place for much of Victoria’s east, stretching from parts of Melbourne down to southern Gippsland and the high country.

The alert extends across the New South Wales border to parts of the south-west slopes and Snowy Mountains, with damaging winds and peak gusts up to 130km/h expected on Tuesday morning.

On Monday lightning caused a 40-minute halt to the Geelong and Hawthorn AFL match at the MCG while the Stawell Gift’s finals were delayed by about two hours due to torrential rain and water over the track.

The highest rainfall totals were in central Victoria including Melbourne, with Olympic Park recording 53mm of rain since 9am on Monday.