Windy weekend sees VICSES volunteers respond to 1067 incidents across Victoria

Windy weekend sees VICSES volunteers respond to 1067 incidents across Victoria

Published: 16/04/2018

VICSES responded to over 1060 Requests For Assistance throughout the weekend, with damaging and destructive winds recorded throughout the state.

Destructive winds resulted in 723 trees down, 271 buildings damaged, and 31 flood events.

The most affected areas were Whitehorse with 80 incidents, Frankston with 79, Hastings with 71 Nillumbik with 64, Ballarat with 53 and Sorrento with 47 incidents.

Wind gusts over 110km/hr were recorded in elevated areas of the state including Mt Buller and Mt Gellibrand. Winds across the metropolitan area reached speeds of 97km/hr at St Kilda and 80km/hr at Frankston  causing widespread damage, fallen trees and debris across roads along with almost 23,000 properties losing power..

The damaging winds were driven by a series of cold fronts that moved across the state over the weekend, causing abnormally high tides across most of Victoria's coastal areas, including Port Phillip Bay.

VICSES volunteers were prepared for the forecasted weather, with volunteers mobilised across the state.

VICSES Chief Officer Operations, Mr Tim Wiebusch said, “I want to thank our volunteers and staff from across the state, along with our emergency service partners, who responded to almost 1100 requests for assistance in just two days as a result of this weather event.”

“Our SES volunteers attended to 723 requests for fallen trees and 271 damaged buildings.”

“I would also like to praise those members of the community that heeded the warnings, securing loose outdoor items and parking under cover and away from trees.”

Remember to monitor conditions and stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters, or visiting the VicEmergency website and VicEmergency app.

For SES assistance call 132 500. For life threatening emergencies call 000.

 

For more information, contact:

State Media Duty Officer 
Phone: 1300 783 933 
Email: media@ses.vic.gov.au



 

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