Storms hit near peak hour in both capital cities, prompting traffic chaos and calls for assistance

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A thunderstorm sweeping across Melbourne on Friday caused widespread flash-flooding prompting numerous calls for assistance.

Sydneysiders were also dealing with traffic chaos as residents along the length of the New South Wales coast were being told to prepare for heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones.

People in the Melbourne CBD and eastern suburbs were warned to stay indoors and not to enter floodwaters.

A live map of the city on the VicEmergency website was dotted with requests for assistance due to flooding. Areas included Hawthorn, Richmond, Toorak, Kew, Cremorne and Port Melbourne.

Jess Lilley 💾 (@lilleyjuice) There’s a wave pool on Swan Street #melbourneweather pic.twitter.com/A7yl85fCXx

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for NSW’s east with damaging winds up to 90km/h predicted including in Sydney, the Hunter region and the Blue Mountains.

Dungong in the Hunter region received 40mm in just 30 minutes during the afternoon as heavy rains drenched much of NSW.

It comes as Queensland residents were warned Cyclone Owen would “wreak havoc”, with remote communities braced for 280km/h winds and much of the state on flood alert, the premier said.

In Sydney, the stormy conditions combined with a car crash on the Harbour Bridge led to peak-hour gridlock with lengthy delays on major arterial roads.

Jay Ong (@jayong28) Epic flooding on Punt Road! #melbourneweather pic.twitter.com/mOucICEi06

Southbound traffic was queued back into the Lane Cove Tunnel while northbound traffic stretched over the Anzac Bridge to Rozelle, the Transport Management Centre said in a statement. Buses were delayed up to 30 minutes.

Elsewhere flooding caused road closures and trains were cancelled due to the severe weather.

Northern lines trains were “bumper to bumper” between Milsons Point and Central, one guard said, after lightning strikes caused delays.

Tropical Cyclone Owen will wreak havoc across Queensland, residents warned Read more

The SES in Victoria said it had responded to more than 130 calls for assistance since 5pm when heavy rain struck the heart of Melbourne.

Richmond had been the hardest hit with 23 callouts, the SES said.

In regional Victoria, flood warnings were in place in every direction around Melbourne.

The Bureau of Meteorology said rainfall would be highest in coastal areas with 50mm to 80mm.

People needing storm assistance were urged to call the SES on 132 000 or for life threatening emergencies, call triple zero.