Melbourne CBD hit by flash flooding from freak storm

A freak afternoon storm caused flash flooding in Melbourne’s CBD and soaked Flemington Racecourse on Oaks Day.

The worst of the storm hit about 2pm, and emergency services received about 200 calls in two hours.

Flash floodwaters breached kerbs across the CBD, including in Swanston Street and Chapel Street, Prahran.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) even issued a tornado warning, after funnel clouds were spotted over Tullamarine, Cragieburn and St Albans, but the warning was later cancelled. 

A walkway at Flinders Street Station was also closed due to flooding. 

IN PICTURES: Melbourne slammed by severe thunderstorms

The storm activity also affected Oaks Day at Flemington Racecourse, with footage showing dark skies and soaked racegoers.

One attendee stripped off her sodden racewear and ran around in the rain in her underwear. 

The million-dollar Crown Oaks race scheduled for 4.40pm (AEDT) was postponed until 5.00pm due to the weather.

Melbourne was drenched by heavy rain for most of the day, with 16.8mm recorded since 9am, half of which fell between 2.15pm and 3pm.

More than 21mm of rain fell at Melbourne Airport since 9am.

Flash flooding also affected regional Victoria, with BoM recording the wettest November day for Murrayville in the Mallee, where 70mm of rain fell in 40 minutes.