Thunderstorms will cross Victoria in the next 72 hours, causing flash flooding while bushfires still burn.
Storms have already lashed Victoria this week, resulting in more than 1000 calls to the SES and throwing skydivers into the water off St Kilda beach.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Steven McGibbony said severe thunderstorms with damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail were possible as a cold front moved across Victoria.
"The bureau has issued weather warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding," Mr McGibbony said on Thursday.
Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said it was not common for fires and floods to hit the state at the same time, but it had happened recently.
He said the 2011 Tostaree fire burnt 11,000ha in Gippsland while floods hit other parts of Victoria.
Mr Lapsley said the rain would reduce the fire risk for up to 10 days, but it would also complicate firefighting efforts in already-burnt areas.
"Rain in these areas will actually make firefighting efforts more difficult and complex," he said.
SES deputy chief officer of operations Tim Wiebusch said there was potential for minor flooding where rivers could break their banks in rural areas.
He said serious storms could deliver heavy winds and torrential rain during the next three days.
"The conditions are ripe for more severe thunderstorms like we saw yesterday to cross probably a more wider part of the state today, so we are expecting that we could see some conditions similar," he said.
Mr Lapsley warned Victorians who planned to camp or go away at the weekend to be aware it was going to be wet, and there could be flooding.
The SES had more than 1000 calls on Wednesday, as roofs were ripped off houses and trees brought down powerlines and destroyed cars.
A group of 14 skydivers were sent plummeting to earth after hail and wind knocked them out of the sky at St Kilda beach.
Two were taken to hospital, while others were treated at the scene.
The severe heat that preceded the storm also affected Melbourne's flying foxes, which dropped to the ground because they are not able to deal with prolonged high temperatures.
Wildlife officers will remove heat-stressed and injured flying foxes and place them with trained wildlife rehabilitators on very hot days.
Share
