By Tanya Steele
Victoria is bracing for a bout of severe weather on the afternoon of Father’s Day after nearly a week of chaotic weather kept emergency and volunteer services on the clock non-stop.
Vic Emergency conducted a live broadcast via social media on Sunday afternoon and described the powerful cold front that will envelop the state.
A severe weather warning for damaging and locally destructive winds is in place for the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley after six days of destructive winds and flooding events across Victoria.
“You now need to have a plan, especially if you live in a heavily treed area,” said Victoria State Emergency Service Chief Officer Operations, Tim Wiebusch.
“Now is the time to prepare, and now is the time to act. We do not see significant weather events like this all that often, and this is one of the most significant events that we will see this year in Victoria,” he said.
“There is the risk of roads becoming closed, as well as significant power outages, as we saw in the October 2021 event.”
Vic Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent said that the State Emergency Service has received 3000 requests for assistance in the last week.
“Over 600 homes have been damaged in that time, and over 35,000 homes were without power,” he said.
Commissioner Nugent said that tonight and early tomorrow morning, Victoria is going to see more severe weather across the state.
“This will include damaging and locally destructive winds, isolated thunderstorms, and again, more high tides and damaging surf,” he said
“It is likely that the destructive and damaging winds are going to result in a lot more trees down, more houses without power, building damage, road closures and possibly impacts on the transport network.”
Senior Meteorologist Michael Efron from the Bureau of Meteorology said that as the strong cold front envelops the state the Macedon Ranges and Dandenong Ranges are looking at wind gusts of up to 110 to 120 kilometres an hour.
“I just wanted to emphasise that it’s that period between 2 am and 4 am Monday that we’re expecting those strongest winds in the Melbourne region, as that front rips through the Melbourne area through the rest of the morning,” he said.
“We will see that front moving rapidly across eastern Victoria and so through the rest of Monday morning, we’re going to see winds easing slightly, perhaps to about 80 to 90 kilometres per hour.”
“As we head into the latter part of Monday morning and into the afternoon, we’re going to see those winds again picking up, especially with shower and thunderstorm activities. So gusts into Monday afternoon, potentially 90 to 100 kilometres an hour.”
“We’re looking at an event similar to October 2021.”
“But this event is not expected to be like the event that we saw back in June of 2021 – in that event, we saw winds from a south, southeast direction, which is a little bit more unusual.”
Commissioner Nugent said people should avoid unnecessary travel during this period, particularly in areas where there are significant amounts of trees.
“Understand the risks of where you live and where you work,” he said.
“If you live in an area that has a significant amount of trees or trees nearby, understand those risks and have a plan.”
“Decide whether or not the risks are too great for you to stay in the home and you should seek shelter elsewhere.”
“Don’t be driving out through these conditions. Plan for power outages. It is almost certain that it will result in more power outages. Plan for up to 72 hours. Charge your mobile phones, have access to a radio, have access to a torch. Follow the Vic emergency app.”
Commissioner Nugent thanked all the volunteers and emergency service workers that have been working tirelessly over the six or so days.
“Today on Father’s Day, many of them will be missing time with family themselves or with their own families on Father’s Day.”
“Thank you so much and all of those workers and volunteers, they do an amazing job.”
“When in doubt – don’t go out.”
Residents should prepare for the oncoming weather and stay updated.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware – heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it’s windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines – always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
