Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Mallee Forecast District.

Issued at 10:21 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OVER OUYEN.

Weather Situation: A very humid airmass is combining with the passage of a slow moving trough of low-pressure to generate slow moving severe thunderstorms over the Mallee this evening.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Ouyen.

A separate Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall is also current for Central, North Central, West and South Gippsland and parts of Northern Country, North East, Wimmera, East Gippsland, Mallee and South West Forecast Districts. Please check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for more information.

Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall are still occurring over the West and South Gippsland district within the Severe Weather Warning area, but the immediate risk of intense rainfall has passed.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the East Gippsland, Northern Country, North Central, North East and West and South Gippsland districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

46.0 MM WAS RECORDED AT POLEY RANGE IN THE 60 MINUTES TO 9:15 PM.

26.6 mm was recorded at Flowerdale in the 45 minutes to 9:00 pm.

24.2 mm was recorded at Redesdale in the 30 minutes to 7:30 pm.

26.8 mm was recorded at Kyabram in the 30 minutes to 6:45 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.