Vic: Thunderstorms lash Ballarat

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2004
Vic: Thunderstorms lash Ballarat

Victoria has suffered a sixth day of storms with flooded houses in Ballarat, near Melbourne,
evacuated and emergency services kept busy with calls for help.

And, the Bureau of Meteorology says, more thunderstorms are expected across the state
tomorrow night - in a seventh day of storms.

Heavy rainfalls have fallen in the north of the state and 50mm have been dumped on
Charnwood, in the north-east, the bureau says.

A short heavy burst hit Ballarat, dumping 27mm of rain in about half an hour and causing
flash flooding.

State Emergency Service (SES) spokesman PETER COCKS says the SES has received about
80 calls for help from people affected by flooding and strong winds.

Mr COCKS says falling branches have damaged house roofs and several homes had to be
evacuated because of flooding.

Even the SES regional headquarters in Ballarat has been inundated, he says.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster RICHARD CARLYON says thunderstorms are expected
across the state again tomorrow night, making it seven days of storms in a row.

AAP RTV apw/cdh

KEYWORD: STORMS VIC (MELBOURNE)

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