An intense low-pressure system wreaked havoc on the state late this week, with more than 3000,000 properties left without power, as well as 500,000 lightning strikes and winds of up to 143 kilometres an hour recorded.
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Large parts of the cropping area south of Mildura and into the Millewa were also hit by hail.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Christie Johnson said the wild weather was brought by a trough, that moved into the west of the state, early on Thursday.
"A low-pressure system developed on the trough, deepened and moved over the south-east during the early hours of the morning.
"We had expected it to be quite deep, but it was a bit deeper than we thought.
"A number of places in southern and western Victoria have recorded their lowest October pressure in 20 years.
"For this time of year, it's relatively unusual to have such a deep low pressure system across us like that."
Ms Johnson said the trough moved into the west of the state, early on Thursday.
The front formed along the Flinders Ranges, SA, before moving into the Riverland and Mallee.
It brought down tropical moisture, leading to the unstable conditions.
Strong winds wrapped around the system, resulting in wind gusts of up to 143 kilometres, at Mount William.
Sale recorded gusts of 109km as the system passed through the state.
United Dairyfarmers of Victoria President Paul Mumford said there were significant power outages in Gippsland.
"It was too dangerous to let those emergency services people out there," Mr Mumford said.
Most farms had back-up power generators, so were able to continue milking.
"Our milk truck arrived, picked up the milk as normal, and then a great big tree came across the road so he couldn't get out.
"Farmers improvise - they've always got a chain saw and a tractor."
Grain and hay producer Russell Hocking said he was at his Millewa farm when the system came through.
"From all reports, every paddock on my farm had a small amount of hail damage," he said.
'But in the area I have heard of everything from a small amount of damage to 80 per cent of the wheat crop gone or a complete write-off."
The previous hail storm around Tempy was more localised, while this one was more widespread.
Read more: Million dolllar Mallee hail hit
"Any legumes, lentils and vetch, will be affected quite badly."
He said he expected damage to vetch and wheat at his property.
"Luckily for us the hay up there had been done and is tucked away in the shed, so that was good timing."
Millewa crop grower Ron Hards, Yurara, said he estimated 30-50 pc of the lentils would be on the ground.
'It's obviously been big hail, because there are holes in the ground were it hit," Mr Hards said.
"You can see where it's hit the ground and melted."
Closer to Mildura there were places that had been "chopped up and there is nothing left," he said.
'"It's disappointing for some - I hope and pray they are all insured and it doesn't cost them.
"That's the worst thing you can do is not insure your crop, even in a lean year.
"It hurts as much in a lean year as it does in a good year."
Mr Hards said it appeared there had been several "strips" to the storm, one at Merrinee and the other near Werrimull.
"They strike at random, a storm could be going through and it's raining and all of a sudden you cop hail out of it."
Wheat and barley would also have been damaged.
"At Merrinee there are paddocks that have been wiped off, that's wheat and barley.
"It's just chomped it up, it's gone."
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
