By REBECCA BILLS AND JESSE GRAHAM
ABOUT 30 emergency services crews are thought to be rushing around the Dandenong Ranges to clear trees that have fallen across roads and power lines, crushing houses and cars.
Roads around the hills have been closed by the weather for the time being, and power outages will be rolling until the weather has calmed.
SES and CFA crews have been called to a number of incidents this afternoon (Tuesday 24 June), where trees and power lines have been felled by extreme winds.
Two trees fell across the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road near Toorak Road in Mount Dandenong at around 2pm, knocking down power lines and hitting a car.
Meanwhile, an tree measuring about 80 metres fell across three properties in Dickens Road in Olinda, near the Pig and Whistle Tavern, damaging two houses.
CFA crews were on the scene of the latter incident, and secured the damaged properties.
No-one has been injured in either of the incidents.
Olinda CFA’s lieutenant Steve Walker said that about 30 emergency services crews were working across the Dandenong Ranges, with around six trees down.
The trees in Dickens Road and on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road are not expected to be removed until power has been shut off to the area, as both hit power lines.
Emergency services crews said the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road was not expected to re-open until later this evening, or early tomorrow, and power outages will be occurring due to the weather.
Residents are being told to avoid entering the hills if possible, though Ridge Road in Mount Dandenong remains open for residents to use.
A 30 metre tree has also come down across Perrins Creek Road, near Sassafras.
Australian Traffic Control (ATC) were on the scene at 4.20pm, clearing the tree from the road.
For the full story and for more photos, see next week’s Mail.
