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Fruit has been damaged, and in some cases swept to the ground, in a violent thunderstorm that hit the Tatura area on Thursday night.

It was the last straw for some orchardists who had already been hit by a hailstorm on Melbourne Cup weekend.

The surviving fruit may be so pitted by hailstones that it will be un-marketable.

Properties in Craven Rd and Dhurringile Rd appear to be worst hit.

Orchardist Rien Silverstein said their leased property was a particular concern.

“The extent was severe,” she said.

“Leaves were stripped off the trees, the fruit was shattered to the ground and what fruit is left on the tree has also been severely affected if there's no hail netting.

“It's really devastating. That's the only word I can think of.”

The storm also damaged buildings in Tatura and cut off power to thousands of households.

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