Update 6pm:
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Storm warnings are still in place for the Wimmera district with the possibility of severe thunderstorms that are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.
Horsham has recorded 4mm of rain from 9am while Stawell experienced heavier shows with 7mm recorded.
Ararat is still under a warning for lighting strikes near the town where 7mm of rain has been measured so far.
Powercor has advised most houses' power had been restored across the region.
Update 5pm:
A haystack fire in a paddock is sending smoke onto the Henty Highway at Jung.
One vehicle remains on scene, while police are ensuring traffic slows down past the fire site.
A State Control Centre spokeswoman said crews were called at 4pm, and three tankers had returned to their bases. VicRoads have been notified.
She said the Dadswells Bridge tanker had called to reports of a tree fire at Ledcourt at 4.52pm.
A fire in Rocklands State Forest is also suspected to have been started by lightning.
The latest update from PowerCor says power has been restored to all but 156 customers along Dooen, Longerenong, Riverside and Jung, 11 in Horsham.
Further North, more than 1400 people are without power across Warracknabeal, Beulah, Brim, Rupanyup, Minyip, Hopetoun and Rich Avon West.
Update 4pm:
HORSHAM, Dunmunkle and Warracknabeal SES volunteers are assessing the damage done by storms on Friday afternoon.
Jarrod McLean of the Horsham Unit said members were on scene at Valentine and Fechler Avenue, Horsham where a tree had fallen and brought down powerlines.
The roads are closed while crews clean-up.
"There are also tree down and building damage jobs in Minyip," he said.
While CFA District 18 duty officer Ron Shiner said lightning caused a fire in a paddock near Beulah.
"It has burned through around 400 acres," he said.
"Twenty trucks were ordered to the scene, but a stop has been put on it now and it has been contained."
There are further reports of trees down in Halls Gap and a bushfire in the Rocklands State Forest east of Balmoral.
The Department of Transport issued a reminder to motorists to slow down and take extra care on the roads.
"Bad weather should prompt drivers to slow down and use extreme care. Conditions can change quickly. Be vigilant at all times and ensure there are no distractions that will take your focus off the road," the statement said.
For the latest traffic information around the state visit traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or download the VicTraffic app via your app store.
The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic.gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.
If you see any hazards on our roads, please report them to the VicRoads Traffic Management Centre on 13 11 70 (open 24/7). In an emergency, call Triple Zero.
Update 3.20pm:
The Country Fire Authority has issued advice to Brim, Beulah, Galaquil, Kenmare, Willenabrina, Beulah West and Angip residents, as a grassfire burns out of control on Galaquil West Road.
It says the grassfire is travelling from Galaquil West Road in a north-easterly towards Beulah.
"There is currently no threat to you, but you should stay informed and monitor conditions," the authority said.
"Keep the roads clear so emergency services can respond. Smoke may be visible from nearby roads and communities. No roads are closed at the moment, but the Henty Highway may experience some smoke."
Update 3pm:
The Bureau of Meteorology has renewed its severe weather warning for the Wimmera.
"The highest gust today is 104 km/h from Longerenong," it said in an update at 3.02pm.
Horsham received two millimetres of rain in just 17 minutes from 2.43pm, while earlier today Stawell received 5.4 millimetres between 10.30am and 11.30am.
Dozens of lightning strikes have hit the region, while power remains out to hundreds of customers across postcodes 3401 (Laharum), 3413 (Minimay) and 3409 (Natimuk).
PowerCor has listed the cause of these outages as 'Pollution", and expects them all to be resolved by 5.30pm.
Power has been restored to central Horsham.
Earlier: WIMMERA residents have been warned to stay indoors if heavy thunderstorms hit the area on Friday afternoon.
Almost 2000 Horsham residents are without power, as of 2.30pm on Friday. Powercor estimates power will be restored by 7pm.
Outages are also affecting residents in Pimpinio, Murra Warra and Dimboola.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast severe thunderstorms that may lead to flash flooding over the next few hours.
The storms are likely as a humid and unstable airstream moves across the state, with a slow-moving low pressure trough in the west.
The State Emergency Service advises people to stay indoors and away from windows.
If outdoors people should move to a safe place indoors, and stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
If driving conditions are dangerous people should pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying area and floodwater.
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