Traffic chaos, major running event and AFL game delayed due to ‘crazy’ weather

Wild storms are continuing to lash Melbourne and Victoria after delaying one of the country’s most prestigious running races and causing the AFL to halt a major match over safety fears.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Victoria today, with heavy rainfall and damaging storms to potentially cause flash flooding.

Players and punters were told to take cover at the MCG in Richmond this afternoon during the final quarter of a game between Geelong and Hawthorn game as severe weather and lightning moved through the area.

The match resumed after 6pm after a 42-minute delay.

Heavy rain and lightning strikes also wreaked havoc at one of Australia’s most prestigious running races, with the Stawell Gift almost cancelled for the first time in history because of bad weather.

The event ended up being delayed by two hours but still went ahead for the competitors and 7000 spectators despite a severe weather warning and the trach being a saturated, soggy mess.

Wild weather hit north-western Victoria at lunchtime, bringing down more than 16mm of rain.

Spectators were told to run for cover and organisers called for local electricians to restore power at the event.

Organisers said they had never seen scenes like it in the event’s 142-year history.

Stawell local and event organiser Wendy Hopwood said she had never seen weather as severe.

“Crazy, it’s really crazy,” she told 9News.

“I’ve lived in Stawell 13 years and don’t think I’ve ever seen rain like this.”

The bad weather is further complicating travel plans for thousands driving or flying home at the end of the Easter holiday break.

Wild weather has forced drivers to slow down and drive to the conditions, with the Hume Freeway becoming a pinch point for those travelling home.

Most other major arterial roads are avoiding traffic chaos.

The storms are expected to continue into the night, with the current severe weather expected to last until 8pm.

A brief break will then make way for more rainfall and storms which are expected to continue until around dawn.