Flood chaos

A heavy three-hour thunderstorm on Melbourne Cup Day resulted in one of the worst flash floods Southbank has seen.

From Kings Way and Sturt St to City Rd and Whiteman St, a 35mm downpour on the morning of November 6 saw large parts of Southbank submerged in water.

The Whiteman St area, which is notorious for flooding due to its low-lying nature and a drainage system that sits beneath the Yarra River, was again transformed into an extension of the river as residents waded knee-deep through water throughout the morning.

However, unusually high flooding also struck Kings Way, as well as City Rd West between Clarendon St and Queensbridge St, affecting apartment tower lobbies and local businesses throughout the area.

Southbank Village was also affected, with large parts of Sturt St under water.

The installation of a new drainage system at Whiteman St meant that water levels in the area cleared much quicker than what locals are used to.