Flash flooding hits Australia’s Victoria state, cars washed out to sea

Cows stand in a field as smoke from the Longwood bushfire rises above the tree tops, as out-of-control fires burn across Victoria, Australia. AAP/Joel Carrett via REUTERS

Source: AAP

A severe storm in Australia’s Victoria state triggered flash flooding on Thursday, forcing the country’s famed Great Ocean Road to close, sweeping cars out to sea and cutting power to thousands.

* Authorities have issued an emergency warning for townsalong the Great Ocean Road, a popular tourist destination famousfor its scenic coastal views * The emergency warning said "very dangerous conditions arebeing caused by a severe thunderstorm and flash flooding" * It urged residents to move indoors and shelter away fromfloodwaters * A large stretch of the Great Ocean Road has been closed inboth directions * Local media reported cars have been swept into the oceanand 6,500 homes are without power * Rescue crews are assisting with people who became trappedin vehicles after floodwater inundated caravan parks, the StateEmergency Service told ABC Radio Melbourne * The weather bureau recorded 166 millimetres (6.5 inches)of rain since 9 a.m. in the nearby Mount Cowley area * It comes days after the Great Ocean Road was closed due tobushfires that started amid an intense summer heatwave

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters