Freak storms cause inner-city floods: [H Vic Metro Edition]
Stapleton, John. The Australian; Canberra, A.C.T. [Canberra, A.C.T] 30 Jan 2004: 4.
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For the fourth time in six days, storms lashed the state, especially the southeast corner, producing high winds, hail and torrential rain. Graham Jones, the co-ordinator of Insurance Disaster Response Organisation Queensland, said there had been widespread damage to businesses, homes and motor vehicles.
Mr [Wayne Roberts] said SES flood rescue boats were sent to help people reportedly trapped in cars on the Monash Freeway, near Toorak Road, but the water subsided before they arrived.
FLASH floods struck several inner-city Melbourne suburbs yesterday, soaking roads, homes and businesses in up to half a metre of water in some areas.
State Emergency Service spokesman Wayne Roberts said freak storms hit at 1pm and 5pm, dumping more than 60mm of rain in just under an hour each time.
The worst-hit areas were St Albans and Deer Park in the city's northeast, and the inner-eastern suburbs of Malvern, Kew and Hawthorn.
"More than the monthly average of rain has come down in an hour," Mr Roberts said.
"It was basically poured from a bucket over those whole areas."
The SES received more than 450 calls from distressed residents, several of whose homes had been severely waterlogged due to blocked drains.
A St Albans childcare centre was evacuated after suffering structural damage from the flooding, while a pet shop in the same area lost part of its roof.
Mr Roberts said SES flood rescue boats were sent to help people reportedly trapped in cars on the Monash Freeway, near Toorak Road, but the water subsided before they arrived.
Two buildings were also hit by lightning, he said. According to the SES, up to 35 emergency crews tended to the damage across thecity.
Police reported no major injuries.
The weather mirrored that experienced yesterday in Queensland, which has been hit by a series of summer storms that have caused $7.5million in damage.
Forthefourth time in six days, storms lashedthestate, especiallythesoutheast corner, producing high winds, hail and torrential rain. Graham Jones,theco-ordinator of Insurance Disaster Response Organisation Queensland, said there had been widespread damage to businesses, homes and motor vehicles.
The Queensland Weather Bureau is expecting further severe storms over the next few days.
The state Government has activated disaster relief measures.
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