city bracing for more storms

MELBOURNE is bracing for another bout of wild weather later today with the weather bureau saying storms and a band of heavy rain are heading to the city from the northwest of the state.

The city was lashed with torrential rain yesterday afternoon, public transport was thrown into chaos and traffic negotiated roads awash with water.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the storms predicted for later today could be even worse than yesterday.

"The storm band is moving down and potentially there could the same, if not more, than we had yesterday," a spokesman said.

"The rain band that will develop later in the afternoon and into the evening will be a separate issue from these storms."

The State Emergency Service (SES) has answered 1300 calls for help since the rain began pelting down late yesterday and it is expecting more today.

SES spokesman Allan Briggs said volunteers were busy attending flooded factories and homes at the peak of yesterday's downpour and said many floods could have been avoided if people cleaned out their gutters and storm water drains.

He advised residents to do house maintenance before the storms hit today, secure outdoor furniture and trim overhanging tree branches.

"Given the bureau's forecast for this afternoon we are preparing for similar weather this afternoon with volunteers responding to the same type of calls," Mr Briggs said.

He also pleaded for motorists to avoid submerged roads, particularly if they were not familiar with the area.

Yesterday, the SES rescued a mother and her two children from a flooded car at Wantirna.

The force of the floodwater had carried the car down the road.

"With the holidays upon us, we also have concerns about people camping under trees or river beds," he said.

"If you are going to an area, get some local knowledge and we don't recommend people camp near river beds or low-lying floodplains."