Flash flooding strikes Frankston and Seaford, Melbourne

Heavy rain on Thursday night caused flash flooding in Melbourne's Bayside area, particularly affecting Frankston and Seaford. The rain resulted in dozens of properties being flooded and trees being knocked down. The State Emergency Service (SES) received 82 calls for help by Thursday evening, with 44 still active at 7:30 PM. Frankston was notably impacted, with 20 calls for assistance. Between 3 PM and 7 PM, Frankston saw 28 millimeters of rain, most of which fell after 5 PM. Other areas like Sorrento and Geelong also reported flooded streets, with Winchelsea experiencing 29 millimeters of rain in just one hour. Brad O’Donoghue, the SES deputy controller in Frankston, asked residents not to drive through floodwaters during the response efforts. Residents are advised to monitor the VicEmergency app for updates and alerts. As of 7 PM, there were no flood warnings in Melbourne, but severe thunderstorms were expected in parts of northern Victoria, including Swan Hill and Echuca. Meanwhile, United Energy reported downed power lines in Kananook, southeast of Melbourne.