UPDATE, 4.30pm, Wednesday December 13: Power outages
Around 3000 households are without power in Shepparton on Wednesday afternoon.
Powercor confirmed 2723 customers were without power as of 3.15pm after lightning, strong winds, rain and hail lashed the region.
That number is now 2903, according to the latest update at 4.19pm on the company’s website.
The estimated restoration time is listed as midnight.
Almost 1000 customers were also without power in Echuca.
UPDATE, 2.30pm, Wednesday December 13: Traffic moving again
Traffic is moving again through Riverview Dve, Kialla, towards Watt Rd Bridge and Mooroopna.
Movement is slow-going, as the road is down to one lane with on-scene traffic management alternating the directing of flow, so it is still best to avoid the area.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more photos of the scene.
EARLIER, 2pm: Fires burning across the region
Multiple grass fires are currently burning in Kialla, one forcing the closure of a major through road.
Traffic is being diverted away from the Shepparton Botanical Gardens on either side of Riverview Dve, Kialla this afternoon as firefighters work to bring a fire in a paddock under control.
Access to Mooroopna via Watt Rd is not possible, while at least four fire trucks work on the scene.
First responders on scene are asking the public to steer clear of the area while the fire is brought under control.
The fire is not suspicious and no property has been damaged.
Lightning, coupled with today’s dry and windy conditions — which forced a total fire ban to be declared — is the likely cause of the fire.
There is also a grass fire burning at Mitchell Rd, Kialla, and travelling in a south-westerly direction.
There is no current threat to the community, but a smoke warning is in place.
Fires of varying sizes — which have all since been brought under control — have also broken out in Byrneside, Bunbartha, Nathalia and Yundool (near Dookie) today across the region.
More to come.