Warnings issued as rivers rise amid heavy falls

Much of Victoria faces disruption as a result of heavy rain and storms. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Residents are being urged to move to higher ground, with a severe weather system continuing to dump heavy rain and cause flooding.

Much of central and eastern Victoria are under an advice warning, although a move-to-higher-ground alert remains for those in Ballan near the Werribee River, upstream of Lerderderg River.

The Bureau of Meteorology said on Saturday heavy rain bursts and potentially damaging winds and storms were also possible in parts of NSW as a band of heavy weather swept the southern states.

There was an watch and act warning, since downgraded, for parts of Geelong on Saturday afternoon.

Severe Weather Update: Another very wet day in the south-east.

Video current: 11am AEST Saturday 3 October 2026.

Know your weather. Know your risk.

For the latest forecasts and warnings visit https://t.co/sHAeAP9nja or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/z7YReFRZnH

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) October 3, 2026

Walking paths and suburban Melbourne roads were flooded on Saturday morning, forcing the cancellation of markets and even Parkrun events.

The Otway Ranges, southwest of Melbourne, and Gippsland were facing 24-hour rain totals up to 90 millimetres, with isolated falls up to 150mm possible in elevated regions.

Six-hourly totals up to 70mm were forecast, with conditions not expected to ease until late Saturday.

Gippsland was also likely to be hard hit, with 24 hour totals between 50 and 80mm likely and isolated falls up to 110mm possible, with conditions easing Sunday morning.

"This is on top of the rain you've already had in the last few days, so I'll say it again, the soils are already saturated," senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.

More than 100mm had already fallen in parts of the Otways, with heavy rain continuing on Saturday afternoon.

"Another 30 to 50mm on top of last night's deluge could certainly fall there," Mr Hines said.

Over 100mm of rain had already fallen in parts of the Otways on Saturday, with more on the way. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

The rain was centred around a low pressure system situated over the Murray River on the NSW-Victorian border.

In NSW, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the Illawarra and parts of south coast, central and southern tablelands, the central west slopes and plains.

Locations possibly affected included Orange, Goulburn, Dubbo, Nowra, Bowral and Bathurst.

The severe weather is expected to clear by the end of the weekend.