'Dangerous very quickly': Victoria braces for wild weather and flash flooding

Melbourne and other communities across northern and central Victoria are bracing for wild weather.

Victoria's emergency services have announced a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall. Source: AAP / Michael Nigro / James Ross

In Brief

• Victoria is forecast to be hit by heavy rain, storms and damaging winds on Tuesday afternoon.
• Residents are warned to remain on alert to flash flooding over the coming hours.

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and damaging winds are set to lash large areas of Victoria, with authorities urging residents to brace for dangerous conditions.

Communities across northern and central parts of the state, including Melbourne, are forecast to be impacted by wild weather from Tuesday afternoon.

Heavy downpours that could trigger flash flooding are expected, with six-hour rainfall totals of 40 to 70 millimetres possible.

Residents should remain on alert to flash flooding in the coming hours, Victoria State Emergency Service spokesperson Josh Gamble told AAP.

"Flash flooding happens fast. Roads can become very dangerous very quickly. It's deeper than it looks," he said. "Low-lying and creekside communities (should be) on alert, particularly those that are known in those flash flood areas in and around the Melbourne areas."

A warning has also been issued for towns located within fire-affected grounds, with authorities warning that burnt land doesn't absorb water effectively, meaning runoff can occur quickly and without warning.

"We've got some concerns, particularly around the fire grounds with increased fast runoff and flash-flooding risks," Gamble said.

The storms come just days after heavy rainfall led to localised flash flooding in and around Wodonga over the weekend.

Emergency crews received about 250 requests for assistance statewide on Sunday, including more than 130 in the Hume region.

Victorian emergency crews are standing by for another busy day on Tuesday. Source: AAP / James Ross

A flood watch has been issued for central and eastern Victoria, including river catchments in the Melbourne area, senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

"Rainfall accumulating over the past several days has brought the risk of flash and riverine flooding.

"Tuesday will be a wet day for Melbourne with a chance of severe thunderstorms, which could lead to flash flooding."

The frontal system will move through the state on Tuesday, with rainfall expected to clear on Wednesday morning.

For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.