The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall across northern Victoria, including Echuca-Moama.
The advice, issued at 4.40am this morning and updated at 10.44am, states the warning is for people in parts of the Mallee and Northern Country Forecast Districts.
In the 45 minutes leading up to 9.45am, Echuca Aerodrome recorded four millimetres of rainfall.
The BOM said heavy rain has developed early Wednesday over northern Victoria.
A trough and low pressure system over South Australia is pulling large amounts of tropical moisture over northern Victoria, leading to a rain band and areas of thunderstorms, with associated heavy rainfall.
Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to develop over the northern Mallee early this morning, and then extend to northern parts of the Northern Country district late Wednesday morning.
The heavy rainfall risk will mainly be with thunderstorms embedded in the rain band.
The heavy rainfall is expected to ease from the west during Wednesday afternoon, then ease throughout the warning area on Wednesday night with areas of moderate rainfall continuing.
Six-hourly rainfall totals of 20-30mm are likely, with localised falls up to 60mm possible. 24 hour rainfall totals of 30-50mm are likely, with localised falls up to 70mm possible.
A Flood Watch and several Flood Warnings are current for catchments across northern Victoria.
For more information, visit www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings.
Echuca-Moama, Rochester, Shepparton and Kerang are among the towns affected.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.