LIGHTNING and storm damage has caused peak-hour havoc for commuters and motorists, forcing several train services to be cancelled or delayed.

The deluge caused chaos across the train network, with flooded tracks and debris on lines causing delays for thousands of passengers this afternoon.

Heavy rain has closed the Mordialloc police station. The roof is leaking at the Bayside building but police are still providing a patrol response in the area.

The snap storm shut a Chadstone Shopping Centre mall near a lower food court for 15 minutes as drains filled and Christmas shoppers trudged through ankle-deep water in car parks and walkways.    

Stranded Alamein passengers are being advised to seek alternative transport.

The Cranbourne, Pakenham, Werribee, Craigieburn and Belgrave lines are experiencing significant delays.

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Buses are replacing Pakenham and Cranbourne trains between Oakleigh and Springvale stations.

Cranbourne and Frankston lines are delayed at Caulfield station for up to 15 minutes.

Many Cranbourne, Frankston, Glen Waverley, Sandringham and Williamstown trains from the city were cancelled at the height of the storm this afternoon.

Visit the Connex website for latest developments. 

Torrential rain at Ocean Grove has caused a bank storeroom roof to collapse, and several homes in Torquay have suffered damage from overflowing gutters.


Torrential rain at Ocean Grove collapsed a bank storeroom roof.

Melbourne's tallest building, the Eureka Tower, had to close the glass box observation area on the 88th floor because of the fierce winds.

Known as The Edge, the glass cube which extends three metres from the side of the building and can withstand winds of up to 70 km/h, was shut down at the height of the storm.

Hail has also swept through Ballarat and a deluge is approaching the city and suburbs.

Wild weather is also being reported on the Mornington Peninsula.

The second bout of storms follows a dumping of rain that lashed Melbourne this morning, striking two trams with lightning.

The Bureau of Meteorology today issued a severe thunderstorm warning for central and north central Victoria carrying wind, flash floods and large hailstones.

CFA spokeswoman Adele Buhagiar said the Commonwealth Bank's storeroom roof collapsed.

No-one was injured and no money was damaged, she said.

The State Emergency Service has responded to 60 calls since the early hours of this morning.

Wind ripped tiles from roofs and a loose trampoline smashed through a window in the Geelong region, SES spokesman Allan Briggs said.

Mr Briggs urged homeowners to clear gutters, trim branches and secure loose outdoor items.

People planning a Christmas camping trip should also check for flood risk because of the recent rain, he said.

Duty forecaster Richard Russell said warm, humid and unstable conditions had brought on the fierce storms.

Melbourne received 5mm this morning and will cop a similar amount later today.

"It was intense but it was quiet brief and we should get more of the same in the next hour or two," Mr Russell said.

The city's maximum temperature hit 27.4C just before 2pm.

The highest rainfall in Victoria so far today is 27mm at Colac.

Cardinia Reservoir received 24mm, along with Moorilim in the state's north-east.

More heavy rain is likely late tomorrow. 

- with AAP