MELBOURNE, October 26, 2025: Melbourne recorded its wettest day in a year on Sunday as intense storms swept through Victoria, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and property damage across the city’s western suburbs. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) reported 32 millimeters of rain in the 24-hour period ending Sunday evening, the city’s heaviest daily rainfall since 2024. The storm intensified rapidly during the afternoon, with more than 15 millimeters falling within a 15-minute span between 4:20 p.m. and 4:35 p.m.
The BoM said the system was part of a broad trough moving across southern Victoria, accompanied by strong wind gusts and localised thunderstorms. Residents in Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, and surrounding Wyndham City suburbs were among the hardest hit as flash flooding inundated streets and damaged several properties. The Victorian State Emergency Service (VICSES) said it received 386 calls for assistance by mid-afternoon, including 200 related to property damage, 81 for fallen trees, and 60 for flooding incidents.
In Hoppers Crossing alone, emergency responders attended more than 130 cases of damage from uprooted trees, water ingress, and blocked drains. The agency deployed crews throughout the evening to assist residents and clear debris. Power infrastructure sustained significant impact as high winds brought down power lines and damaged substations. Powercor, which supplies electricity to Melbourne’s northern and western corridors, reported more than 28,000 unplanned outages at the height of the storm.
Power outages affect thousands across Melbourne’s west
The majority of affected customers were located in Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, and Point Cook, where electricity remained out for several hours. Restoration efforts continued through Sunday night, with field crews repairing damaged equipment and assessing hazards from fallen trees. Local roads across Wyndham, Tarneit, and Laverton experienced flooding, with sections of major routes temporarily closed to traffic.
Commuters faced delays as public transport services were disrupted, including several suburban train lines affected by debris on the tracks. Emergency authorities urged drivers to avoid flooded roads and allow additional travel time. No serious injuries were reported, but police confirmed a number of minor collisions due to poor visibility and wet conditions. The Bureau of Meteorology issued strong wind warnings for Port Phillip Bay and surrounding coastal areas, advising small vessels to remain sheltered until conditions eased.
Heavy rainfall triggers flash flooding in key districts
Gusts exceeding 80 kilometers per hour were recorded in some western districts, adding to damage from falling branches and debris. Weather observers said the rainfall and wind intensity marked one of the most severe spring events for Melbourne’s western suburbs in recent years. City councils in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay activated storm response protocols to coordinate clean-up operations and assess infrastructure damage. Teams were dispatched to inspect drainage systems, remove fallen trees, and support residents with emergency repairs.
Waste collection and debris removal services were prioritized for areas reporting the highest damage levels. The BoM forecast indicated a further two to three millimeters of rain for Melbourne on Monday before conditions were expected to improve midweek. Cooler temperatures and lighter winds were anticipated from Tuesday through Thursday, allowing recovery and repair work to proceed without interruption. Sunday’s storm ranked as the most intense weather event to hit Melbourne since October last year, underscoring the city’s increasing vulnerability to short-duration heavy rainfall events.
Emergency services have reminded residents to secure outdoor items, avoid flooded roads, and report hazards such as downed power lines anid unstable trees. Cleanup and recovery efforts are ongoing across Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, and surrounding communities, as Victoria works to restore full services following a day of severe weather that left thousands without power and caused the city’s heaviest rain in a year. – By Content Syndication Services.