Thunderstorms, flooding hit Melbourne

Large thunderstorms have caused flash flooding, fires and widespread damage across Melbourne, leaving thousands of residents without power.

The storms have flooded homes in Footscray, Malvern and Lilydale in the outer east, and a man in the inner west suburb of Footscray was rescued from his car this evening after being stranded by flash flooding.

Blackouts affected 8000 CitiPower customers in the northern suburb of Brunswick and 1600 United Energy customers in Bulleen and Templestowe, in the city’s north-east, The Age reported.

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Lightning sparked fires in Coomboona, near Shepparton, and on the outskirts of the city in Whittlesea and Healesville.

The fires in Whittlesea and Healesville have been brought under control while fire fighters are still battling the fire in Coomboona.

The storms are also set to delay flights at Tullamarine airport, with the airport encouraging passengers to check flight times with their airlines.

Damaging winds, heavy rain and hail were predicted to affect the areas of Gisborne and Sunbury north-west of Melbourne before moving across the city and affecting the eastern suburbs.

Croydon, Greensborough and Pakenham were also expected to be hit.

The State Emergency Services had advised people to secure loose objects around their homes, keep away from creeks and drains and stay indoors if possible.

The storm has been triggered by a slow-moving trough and temperatures of around 34 degrees in Melbourne's north, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Andrea Peace said.

"Basically given that the storms are fairly slow moving, we can expect heavy falls leading to flash flooding," she told ninemsn.

"We're also expecting the possibility of damaging winds and also the possibility of large hail."

"Down around the bay it's only been around 23 or 24 degrees all day, so the suburbs to the north of the trough are most likely to experience the storm," Ms Peace said.

A more general thunderstorm warning is in place for Gippsland, Northern Country and North Central.