Emerald SES has responded to over 60 calls for assistance over the last 24 hours, following last night’s wild winds.
Many of the jobs required the removal of large gum trees which had fallen across roads, driveways and onto houses.
At 7pm on 23 July, Emerald SES controller, Ben Owen said they received a request for assistance for a tree which had fallen onto a house in Monbulk.
Luckily, the owner was in a different room when the tree came crashing through the roof.
“At About 7pm last night, we got a call that a tree had come down in Jindabyne Court Monbulk,” Mr Owen said.
“The owner of the house was sitting on the couch with her back to the kitchen table at the time and the tree missed her by a matter of 30cm.”
Mr Owen said that SES crews worked well into the night and that they expected winds to flare up again this afternoon.
“Most of the calls yesterday were trees down on driveways, roads and power lines – there was only one tree on a house thank goodness,” Mr Owen said.
“We try and prioritise our calls for assistance and work on a priority basis.”
““This afternoon the winds are picking up again and so some trees may have been weakened by last nights’ wind and come down.”
A severe weather warning remains current for parts of Victoria, including the Yarra Ranges, with winds expected to increase during the afternoon.
Mr Owen urged residents to move cars under cover or away from trees, secure loose items around the house, yard and balcony and stay clear of fallen power lines.
