Horses running in wet conditions

Employees of the Mumm marquee foolishly mop up the flooded floors and wrap a paper towel around expensive audio equipment in the form of impervious skins under the doorway.

There is usually an unbelievably tight list to get to the VIP party, but this morning there was no one at the door as a handful of people hurried inside. It has never been easier to access the Mumm marquee.

Outside, the drains between the speakers are struggling to cope with the flood and the staff is desperately trying to unblock them with sticks. Rivers of water stop visitors wading in the bathrooms and expensive outfits have been covered with plastic ponchos as the instincts of survival of fashionistas manifest themselves.

An enclosure named ironically Bird Bird is almost empty. Designed to resemble a pool party in the summer with a paddling pool and umbrellas, five people were seen inside, and four of them were employees who looked miserable under their raincoats.

WEAR NOT HOLD

Nothing like spending your tax return on a luxury outfit for the Melbourne Cup, but only to open the sky and pour four years of rain on your beautiful dress and your new hat.

If you are in Melbourne and see a pbadenger navigate the street today, do not be surprised. The rain is torrential.

A woman on the way to Flemington was heard saying, "The rain is good for farmers".

Her friend replied, "Yes, but it's bad for my new suede heels."

It's good that everyone has their priorities.

Some people do not let bad weather go wild and stand in the muddy turf of the racetrack. We bow our hat (wet) to these people.

But it will be difficult to remain optimistic if bettors can not even get to Flemington. Floods near the track caused chaos, causing significant delays in the train line at the Flemington Racecourse and forcing some trains to stop at Showgrounds.

The Bureau of Meteorology's chief forecaster, Michael Efron, said that five millimeters of rain had fallen on the Flemington Racecourse before the gates opened at 8:30 am and that the rainy weather was to continue.

Efron said the storms could bring significant rainfall, but it is unlikely that we would beat Cup Day in 1942, when 46.5 mm was recorded.

"We will start to see the showers diminish in the afternoon, but we will still be able to do so during the main race," Efron told AAP.

It could be particularly cold for the flamboyant British billionaire Marwan Koukash who has vowed to accept the trophy in his thong if his Magic Circle horse wins the race.

"It's lace that will stop the nation," he told AAP during the Monday Cup parade.

A severe weather warning is in place for Melbourne and the east of the state, as a slow lowering of low pressure leads to heavy rain and thunderstorms. These storms could cause sudden floods in some areas.

FOR THOSE WHO EXERCISE ON COUPS DE MELBOURNE CUP ELSEWHERE

This is the rest of the country as Flemington manages to fall asleep.

Sydney: The sky will be partly cloudy and wet in the city of Harbor. Mercury should reach 31 ° C. Low risk of showering and risk of thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

Brisbane: It will be sunny in Brisbane today and will reach 33 degrees Celsius – with the possibility of a thunderstorm in the west late this afternoon and tonight.

Adelaide: It is partly cloudy and reaches 20C. Medium risk of shower, becoming less likely in the late morning and early afternoon.

Perth: Those celebrating in Perth can expect a cloudy day and temperatures reaching 19 ° C. Slight chance of a morning shower near the coast.

Canberra: There is a good chance that showers will occur in the nation's capital and there is a risk of a thunderstorm during this afternoon and evening.

Hobart: There is a good chance of showers, especially this afternoon and early evening, and temperatures reaching 19 ° C.

Darwin: On the territory, it will be 34 ° C with risks of showers and thunderstorms.

-With PAA