City cops a month's worth of rain in six hours

Melbourne has copped a drenching with some parts of the city receiving more than a month’s worth of rain since Friday morning.

It’s been a wet Friday for Victorians so far with Melbourne experiencing its wettest day in 10 months according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

"Victoria has copped a drenching in the last 24 hours," BOM senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said.

"Many locations, not only in Melbourne but right across western and central Victoria, have had a month's worth of rain in less than six-to-12 hours.”

Melbourne recorded more than 43mm since 9am.

The January average for Melbourne is about 40mm. Bundoora, in the city’s northeast, was lashed by 54mm.

In the suburbs, Heathmont and Viewbank both saw 51mm, while Melbourne airport also received 51mm.

The town of Pyalong, north of the city, had 75mm, while Mt Buffalo also experienced heavy falls with 71mm.

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Mr Narramore said conditions may not ease until early to mid-morning on Saturday.

"Flooding and flash flooding is definitely going to become an issue in the coming days and weeks," he said.

Another 10mm could still fall for the rest of Friday.

The State Emergency Service has rescued a driver from a vehicle trapped in floodwaters in South Melbourne, and another from a vehicle in Bendigo.

Almost 100 SES units have responded to more than 600 calls for help in the past 24 hours, the majority for leaking roofs and other flood damage.

SES operations manager Josh Gamble is warning residents in flood-prone areas to monitor the conditions, and either leave the area early, or be ready with sandbags should the waters rise.

"We know flash flooding comes up out of nowhere, so we can't plan for where it may impact," he said.

Flood watches are in place for the north central catchments, from the Avoca River to Broken River.

There is also a minor flood warning for the Yarra, and the EPA is warning people to avoid contact with the river at Warrandyte, Kew, Healesville and Launching Place.

Water quality warnings are also in place for 36 beaches around Port Phillip Bay.

Fortunately, there should be some relief from the deluge on Saturday with BOM predicting an early shower or two of up to 6mm while no rain is forecast for Sunday.

with AAP

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