Victoria slammed by thunderstorm 

Source: ONE News

Victorian State emergency Services crews have worked through the night to mop up after a thunderstorm swept the state on Thursday.

The storm damaged buildings, felled trees and powerlines, knocked out suburban and country train services and caused flash flooding as it crossed Victoria during the afternoon.

State duty officer Tim Wiebusch says the SES has fielded more than 900 calls for assistance.

He says the worst hit areas were Nunawading, Narre Warren, Eltham and Doncaster.

"In regional Victoria, the worst hit areas were up at Tatura and Shepparton, and at Woomelang (in the Mallee region), the residents have reported a phenomenon similar to a tornado.

"For a little community like that we had about 25 calls for assistance there."

Wiebusch says predictions of more heavy rain overnight, with falls of up to 50mm in central Victoria in a band between Swan Hill and Werribee, failed to materialise.

"The fortunate part is that the heavier rain seems to be falling north of the Victorian border, and we're somewhat hopeful it might stay there because we've had our fair share.

"The crews are working through the night because we need to get to as many jobs as possible before the next band of rain, which we are expecting tomorrow (Friday) afternoon."

A severe weather warning remains in place in the alpine and northeast regions, with heavy rain and flash flooding likely to wash rocks and debris from bushfire-affected land.

A flood watch warning has also been issued for some areas.