City is hit by strong winds

KNOX was buffeted by winds approaching 100km/h on Sunday, forcing Knox State Emergency Service (SES) to call upon the assistance of four extra crews in responding to wind damage.
SES teams from Essendon, Croydon, Nunawading and Oakleigh came to the aid of the Knox crew during a wild day that resulted in approximately 120 call-outs.
“Most of the jobs involved reasonable size branches falling on fences and houses, however, there was no major structural damage sustained,” reported Knox SES deputy controller Karen Afif.
Ms Afif said that the damage was spread evenly throughout the City of Knox. SES crews were working until 3.30am on Monday morning, and responded to another 10 to 15 call-outs before noon.
The Emerald SES crew was also on inundated with about 70 calls during the afternoon and evening.
Among the worst cases were two tiled-roof houses in Belgrave and Gembrook that required significant reparation after being struck by large tree limbs.
SES volunteer Andrew Buck reported that his crew worked from 3.30pm on Sunday through to 5.30pm on Monday morning in an exhausting bid to clear the area of wind damage.