By Tanya Steele
Victoria continues to experience severe weather as emergency services and volunteers deal with the fallout of a storm that was likened to the strength of a cyclone that moved through the state overnight on Sunday 1 September.
Wind, hail and rain lashed the region with intense weather events in the early hours of Monday 2 September causing multiple tree falls, power outages and building damage as residents across the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley persevered through the restless night.
Over 100,000 people across Victoria were without power overnight as SES across the outer east reported multiple road closures and tree falls.
By the morning of 2 September SES Emerald controller Ben Owen said the unit had over 100 requests for assistance.
Lilydale SES controller Shaun Caulfield said by 10.30am they’d had 48 requests for assistance in the last eight hours.
“There are multiple reports of trees over roads and power lines and several reports of damage to structures in Montrose and Kalorama,” he said.
Victoria State SES reported via social media that statewide there had been more than 2,800 requests for assistance, with over 1,300 jobs still active since 7pm the previous evening.
“This includes over 2,100 trees down, and 650 calls for building damage,” the post read.
Senior Meteorologist from the Bureau of Meteorology Kevin Parkyn said it’s been a tiring week for Victoria.
“The spring gale wind events that basically battered Victoria overnight have moved to the east of the state and cleared the far east. So that’s some good news,” he said.
“Severe weather warnings are still in place and damaging winds are still expected, particularly across southern and mountain areas of Victoria.”
“These weather systems, there’s a reason for them, and the dynamics are quite often associated with strong temperature contrast.”
“What we’ve seen right across the country, including Victoria in recent weeks, is temperatures have been well above normal. Victoria’s just had its warmest winter on record, and I believe it’s second warmest August on record.”
AusNet reported on 2 September that across the state approximately 112,000 people were without power after outages overnight.
“We have crews in the field currently assessing the damage. The weather is still affecting the network and it is very hazardous, so this may take a little longer than usual,” they said.
Andrew Linnie, Executive General Manager, Distribution said the current strong wind conditions impacting customers on the electricity network is the longest sustained weather event the network has faced in more than 10 years.
As more weather rolls in this week, residents are advised to stay up to date with the VicEmergency app, be prepared and consider relocating.
Faults, emergencies or damaged or fallen powerlines can be reported online at www.ausnetservices.com.au/report-a-fault or by calling AusNet on 13 17 99. We will keep our Outage Tracker up to date with restoration times. www.outagetracker.com.au.
