A major clean-up operation is underway after a popular Victorian holiday spot was hit by a “super storm” and “wall of water” that swept dozens of cars into the ocean and against nearby buildings.
About 180mm of rain fell in less than five hours along the Great Ocean Road on Thursday, washing cars into the sea, smashing vehicles into buildings and leaving others wedged beneath bridges as water levels rose rapidly.
Since midday on Thursday, Victorian State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers responded to 37 requests for assistance across the Barwon South West region, including 12 calls for fallen trees and seven for flood-related incidents.
An SES spokesperson said volunteers in the Lorne region were the busiest during the period, responding to 22 calls for assistance across Lorne, Wye River, Kennett and Separation Creek.
No injuries have been reported.
VicEmergency told NewsWire that about 400 people were displaced by the flash floods, with the full extent of the damage to be confirmed once assessments are completed.
Footage from Wye River, about two and a half hours southwest of Melbourne, shows a car being swept into the ocean as floodwaters surged through the area.
Images shared on social media also show multiple vehicles submerged in water or pinned against a bridge at Wye River.
Several cars were driven into buildings and bridges by the force of the floodwaters, as residents and tourists looked on.
Holiday-makers staying at a caravan park in Wye River were forced to evacuate as floodwaters carried away personal belongings.
Crowds gathered along roadsides as trees, debris and vehicles were pushed into bridges, while emergency services worked to clear the roads.
Dave Morgan, who has visited Lorne for more than 30 years, said he had never witnessed flooding of this scale.
Australian musician Mike Brady told the Herald Sun the sky turned “black, like the night” before the storm struck.
“It went absolutely pitch black,” he told the outlet.
“It created like a wall of water – a raging torrent came down our little creek, and then it just opened up … I’ve never seen anything like it in my lifetime.”
VicEmergency issued an emergency warning for residents in Wye River, Kennett River, Cumberland River, Lorne and surrounding areas at about 2.30pm on Thursday.
“Very dangerous conditions are being caused by a severe thunderstorm and flash flooding,” the emergency warning said.
The threat has since eased and the warning has been downgraded.
However, VicEmergency cautioned that hazardous conditions may still be present in affected areas, including the risk of landslips.
“You can now return to normal activity, but be aware there are hazards that still exist in the warning area,” the agency said.
Rainfall records were broken, with gauges in the Mt Cowley area recording more than 170mm of rain since 9am on Thursday.
It is the highest 24-hour rainfall total at the site since records began in 2000.
Authorities warned residents to “be aware” that ongoing heavy rainfall could increase the risk of landslides and debris on roads.
Images: X (Formerly Twitter) / 9NEWS
