A man has been found dead in flood waters at Woodside, near Sale, in south-east Victoria.

Emergency services were called to Starlings Lane in Woodside about 1.45pm on Thursday after a member of the public discovered a vehicle almost submerged in flood waters.

A rescue team found the man, possibly aged in his 60s, dead in the vehicle.

Victoria Police are investigating and will prepare a report for the coroner.

About 60 kilometres north, evacuation warnings remain in place as flood waters are rapidly rising.

Major Flood Warning for Traralgon Creek. For more info: https://t.co/nS8mFB07HB #vicfloods pic.twitter.com/N42Q9IOtaQ

— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) June 10, 2021

Emergency authorities are strongly recommending residents, workers and holiday-makers near Traralgon Creek evacuate after parts of west Gippsland recorded rainfall totals over 270 millimetres.

With flooding expected to affect more than 220 homes, people have been told to travel to a safe location such as a family member or friend’s home.

A relief centre has been set up at the Traralgon Basketball Stadium for those with nowhere to go.

Traralgon Creek has risen to nearly six metres, although it is expected to fall below the major flood level of 4.8 metres on Thursday evening.

Minor Flood Warning for the Sunday Creek. For more info: https://t.co/ePHU2QmTmU #vicfloods

— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) June 10, 2021

There are other active major flood warnings across the West Gippsland catchment including the Avon, Macalister, Thomson, and Latrobe rivers.

Those already in a safe place are urged to stay put for the next 48 to 72 hours, when most of the flooding is expected to move through communities.

Moderate Flood Warning for Avon River. For more info: https://t.co/RHhX9hnjVJ #vicfloods

— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) June 10, 2021

By lunchtime on Thursday, emergency services had already been called to a dozen flood rescues in Gippsland.

“We can’t emphasise enough that driving into flood waters is the greatest risk you can take,” Victorian SES chief Tim Wiebusch said.

“That is the No.1 thing where we see fatalities during flooding and it just ties up our emergency services unnecessarily.”

The SES has responded to more than 5000 calls for help and it’s expected to take days to clear the backlog.

Most of the calls were for fallen trees, though there were some for flash flooding and building damage.

Some 21 properties in the Dandenong Ranges suffered significant structural damage from falling trees.

At nearby Sherbrooke, an ambulance was crushed by a falling tree as it raced to where a woman and her son were trapped.

The paramedic was shaken but escaped injured, with the woman and her child later freed by police.

Moderate Flood Warning for Morwell River. For more info: https://t.co/N8txSxhGD1 #vicfloods pic.twitter.com/yFyqIYeC94

— VICSES News (@vicsesnews) June 10, 2021

Two SES members were not so lucky and had to be taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after separate tree-related incidents. They are in a stable condition.

“We’re thinking of them, and wishing them a speedy recovery,” Acting Premier James Merlino told Parliament.

West and south Gippsland not only dealt with intense rain and flooding but also destructive winds, emergency service meteorologist Kevin Parkin said.

“Many people would have woken up this morning and seen absolute carnage out there,” he said.

The wild weather has left more than 200,000 homes and businesses without power, closed major roads and suspended train services.

I have spent time this afternoon at the State Control Centre being briefed by Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp, Chief Fire Officer at FFMVic, Chris Hardman and Chief Officer at VicSES, Tim Wiebusch on the work being undertaken following the overnight weather event. pic.twitter.com/vjx7xQwXhQ

— Danny Pearson MP (@DannyPearsonMP) June 10, 2021

Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said it could take a number of days to restore power in some areas.

Winds reached speeds up to 119km/h in mountain areas and 104km/h in Melbourne and a severe weather warning for damaging winds remains current for southern parts of Victoria and northern Tasmania.

It is likely to be cancelled later on Thursday afternoon as conditions ease.

Mr Wiebusch said he had not seen a flood and wind weather event of this scale in Victoria since 2008.

Elsewhere, the NSW regional towns of Orange and Oberon have been transformed into winter wonderlands.

A cold snap to the north has brought widespread snow in the ranges, with the Perisher Valley receiving a dump of about half a metre.

The mercury in Sydney is only expected to reach 11C on Thursday as temperatures in some NSW areas dip more than 10 degrees below average for this time of year, while Queensland is shivering through unseasonable lows as well.

-AAP