Inverleigh, Victoria: Train derails from flooded tracks near Geelong

A Victorian train has derailed after a month of wild weather and widespread flooding damaged the rail tracks it was travelling on.

Shocking photos of the scene at Inverleigh, near Geelong, reveal the extent of the damage as more than 20 shipping containers lay sprawled across the nearby paddocks.

More than 10 carriages derailed from the flood-damaged tracks at 5.30am on Monday, smashing dozens of shipping containers as they fell.

At least 20 shipping containers were piled on top of each other in the chaotic crash scene, about 90km from Melbourne.

The freight train stopped just short of a level crossing, which authorities say has already been reopened.

An SES spokesperson confirmed the train tracks were damaged but said the cause was not yet apparent. Investigations will determine whether the damage occurred before or after the train derailed.

Pictures from the scene of the derailment appear to show rail tracks had buckled as water seeped underneath the vital lines.

The shipping containers lay sprawled in the mud, with serious structural damage visible to a number of the metal frames. One of the containers was busted open by the impact of the crash and the cargo can be seen poking out of its metal confines.

Authorities confirmed there were no passengers aboard the freight train and the driver was not injured. Emergency services said there were no dangerous goods on-board the train.

Investigators are on site trying to determine the cause of the devastating incident.

The Melbourne to Adelaide rail corridor is closed while emergency response crews work to clear the accident site.

An Australian Rail Track Corporation spokesperson said more details will be provided once an assessment of the area is complete.

The Inverleigh area, just 30km from Geelong, copped nearly 30mm of rainfall during the weekend of wild weather - on top of previous flooding.

The train derailment comes as households across Victoria are reporting blackouts after the wild weather.

Flash flooding has closed lanes on the crucial ring road, so motorists are being urged to take care.

Unfortunately for flood-weary communities, further rainfall is forecast for Monday before chilly temperatures and more settled weather moves in.

The SES said it had received more than 400 requests for assistance in the last 24 hours as floodwaters rise again in already-saturated regions.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7056aoaafobyoxY6mpq2nop67qHvOp2StoJViv7Ctw2ifqKqinrOqr4ysmp6mlah6r7HAq2SgnZWhvK%2BzjJqqZqyilravecOeqZqhnKh6p77OpmSfpJ%2BksaawjK2pmpubqHyvsdasZKysn6fGcLGYmm6dbpJqf3GEwXJunG6Sba6lgpRxa3BtYWevpX%2BP