Severe storm causes flash flooding in Geelong

Buildings were damaged and cars submerged on Wednesday (January 27) as a severe storm caused flash flooding in the Victorian city of Geelong.

Local media reported that the State Emergency Service (SES) received almost 500 calls for help with 18 people rescued and residential homes and commercial properties damaged.

On Thursday (January 28) the clean up continued with home owners and restaurant workers returning to survey the damage.

“It stopped raining, the streets start to clear up and 15 minutes after that, the sun was out,” said one woman.

“We had customers sitting out here all just abandon their food, everyone just ran inside, so we just had empty tables everywhere,” added another.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued thunderstorm warnings for parts of regional Victoria and Melbourne, but conditioned had eased by Wednesday (January 27) evening. (Reuters)