Thunderstorms cause flash flooding in Australian city of Melbourne by Jo Farrow
Severe storms across the wider Melbourne area caused flash flooding and minor damage on Saturday, mainly in suburbs across the north and to the southeast of the city.
Emergency crews responded to around 300 calls in total, after the storms downed trees and power lines. A car became trapped under a railway bridge in rising water, after flash flooding occurred at the height of the storm. Fortunately the occupants of the car were able to escape out of the windows and swim to safety. Flooding in the concourse and baggage handling area of Melbourne Airport caused delays to Qantas flights.
The trough of low pressure that brought the storms has moved out of Victoria, the state in which Melbourne sits, and clearer calmer weather is expected for Sunday. However the trough is now moving into neighbouring New South Wales, and the forecast here is for storms during Sunday.
Meanwhile Tropical Cyclone Kate, which was heading southeast in the Coral Sea off Queensland, has dissipated. Forecasters are now watching an area of low pressure to the north of Western Australia, which has the potential to develop into a cyclone over the next few days.
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