By Tyler Wright
Elevated areas of the Dandenong Ranges, Alpine Ranges, Central Highlands and Kinglake are expected to experience wind gusts up to 110km/hr overnight tonight early into Wednesday morning.
A strong cold front will enter Victoria’s west late, bringing a vigorous north to northwesterly flow according and sweeping across to the eastern ranges.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely along the front, expected to reach the eastern districts during Wednesday morning.
Winds will ease from the west during Wednesday afternoon, before another burst of vigorous winds could affect the state from late Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
SES Emerald Unit Controller Ben Owen said community members should be alert, but not alarmed.
“We’re not expecting a June storm that we had last year, we’re expecting a windy night that we occasionally get towards this end of the season, this end of the year,” Mr Owen said.
“If people can think about emergency planning, not just for fires but for storms also, and have a plan for no power and how that impacts the things they need in their house.
Have they got the rechargeable battery packs for their phones, and those that have a generator, try it now, test it before you need it; have you got feul, is it in a safe place to operate? has it been serviced?”
Mr Owen said the SES Emerald Unit has contingencies in place for incident management teams to be ready to operate and is thinking about other resources which can be used to assist.
“The message to the community is that if you do need assistance to call one 132 500 and then have an understanding that each drop will be triage on the most important to least important, and a priority will be trying to keep roads open for people to access and emergency services to use,” he said.
“The other message is if power lines are down stay well back from it and notify the power company.”
In a statement, VICSES confirmed that a cold front bringing vigorous north to northwesterly flows will result in damaging winds and heavy rain for parts of the State overnight on Tuesday into early Wednesday morning.
VICSES is asking Victorians to prepare now and remain vigilant to the risk of damaging winds, which may cause trees and branches to fall and potential damage to homes and property.
Residents are advised to today check that loose outdoor items such as furniture, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured well before the storm arrives and ensure to park vehicles undercover tonight, away from trees.
Victorians should also ensure gutters, downpipes and drains are not blocked to cope with the potential of heavy rainfall.
“Our volunteers across the state are prepared to assist communities with the severe weather conditions forecast for overnight tonight. However with damaging to destructive winds possible, it’s vital you remain vigilant and up to date on the latest warnings and advice,” VICSES Chief Officer of Operations Tim Wiebusch said.
“Ensure you listen to the advice of emergency services, and secure loose items in and around your home, park your vehicle undercover, away from trees and remain indoors until the severe weather has passed”.
Locally destructive wind gusts with peak gusts of around 130 km/h are possible over Alpine peaks from early Wednesday morning.
Wind gusts of 90-100km/hr are possible elsewhere.
Locations which may be affected include Stawell, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Portland, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Ballarat, Frankston, Bacchus Marsh, Bright and Falls Creek.
Dargo, Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Omeo may also be impacted.
In a statement, the Bureau of Meteorology said the eastern ranges could expect a cumulative rainfall total of 50-80 mm between Wednesday to Friday, with 20-50 mm more broadly across the northeast.
90-110 mm isolated totals are possible, most likely around the higher peaks, during this period, BOM said.
To keep up to date with the latest warnings and advice messaging, download the VicEmergency app and check the VicTraffic mobile app or website before travelling for updates on road closures, hazards and to consider alternate routes.
For emergency assistance from VICSES call 132 500.
Phone lines may be busy during peak hours.
