A severe weather event has begun hitting Australia’s southeast with millions of people warned to prepare as floods and storms lash the region.

Severe weather warnings have been issued for multiple states with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting the worst is yet to come with some areas expecting a battering from Wednesday afternoon.

A warning was issued for damaging winds through New South Wales with parts of the South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, ACT and Southern Tablelands expected to bear the brunt of the system.

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“Damaging winds have developed over alpine peaks, and will expand to lower elevations this evening,” BOM warned.

Gusts averaging 80km/h to 90km/h have hit the area and are likely to continue into the afternoon, according to the bureau.

“Peak gusts in excess of 125km/h are possible this evening and may persist for several hours. Winds are expected to begin easing during Thursday morning,” they said.

Locations which may be affected by the damaging winds include Mount Ginini, Thredbo, Tidbinbilla and Perisher Valley.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds has also been issued for Victoria, with central parts of the state as well as East and South Gippsland expected to be impacted.

“A cold front approaches during the afternoon and evening, bringing strong north to northwesterly winds over elevated areas,” BOM said.

Damaging wind gusts around 90km/h are possible for wednesday, with peak gusts of around 120km/h likely to develop during the evening.

“Winds may temporarily ease early on Thursday morning before redeveloping around sunrise with gusts of 110km/h,” BOM said.

A severe weather warning for damaging wind has been issued for NSW. Credit: BOM

Victoria has also been issued a severe weather warning for damaging wind. Credit: BOM

A band of rain and storms is stretching from western Queensland all the way down through New South Wales and into Victoria and Tasmania, bringing widespread showers.

A flood watch is also active for parts of north east and central Victoria.

Forecasters said 50mm to 100mm of rain could fall in some areas, with some places likely to receive even more.

Moderate to heavy rainfall has been recorded across the northeast of Victoria since Monday and has caused river level rises and minor flooding in the Seven Creeks and Kiewa, King and Goulburn River catchments.

“Further widespread moderate rainfall is forecast across northeast and central Victoria from Wednesday into Friday,” the watch read.

“This rainfall may result in minor to moderate flooding across the Flood Watch area from Wednesday, with isolated major flooding possible.

“The situation is being closely monitored, and Flood Warnings will be issued as required.”

A flood watch is also in place for northern Tasmania with recent rainfall causing creek and river level rises expected to continue till Saturday.

Minor flood warnings are current for the North Esk, South Esk, Meander and Macquarie catchments.