Damage minimal from storm surge’s severe winds
Wild weather lashed parts of Geelong overnight on Monday, but damage was limited to a few fallen trees.
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High tides have caused the closure of a beach, swallowed footpaths and temporarily flooded carparks in the wake of a storm surge warning from the Bureau of Meteorology.
In Ocean Grove the golf course carpark was flooded during high tide Tuesday making access difficult.
Ocean Grove Golf Club president Sandy Cresswell confirmed the water has since subsided leaving the course undamaged and open to players.
In Point Lonsdale the front beach footpath was swallowed by rushing tides, the water entertaining locals who posted videos on social media.
Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (GORCAPA) advised beach access to the Gibson Steps was closed “due to recent high swell and storm surge activity impacting the coastline”.
The closure will remain in place until at least Thursday.
Also the port of Port Campbell is temporarily closed for public safety, as strong wind warnings remain in place until midnight Wednesday.
Visitors have been urged to avoid both areas.
In Anglesea drones have captured more movement at the unstable cliffs at Demons Bluff.
The beach is permanently closed as the cliff is prone to frequent landslips and collapses, with fears the damaging winds could cause exacerbate the situation.
On Monday evening, damage was minimal after wild weather hit parts of Geelong with strong winds and heavy rain.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning at 3pm with damaging winds of between 90 km/h to 100 km/h predicted in Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula around 6pm.
SES crews were called to a Grovedale property about the same time with reports two trees had fallen.
An emergency worker in a cherry picker could be seen working on nearby powerlines while chainsaws were used to clear the area.
A Powercor spokesman said services had not been interrupted.
It’s understood the Torquay Rd home was also damaged in a wild storm last year.
Gusts of more than 75 km/h were reported near Avalon at 6pm, however as of 8.30pm it appeared the region was largely unscathed.
Meteorologist Dean Narramore said wind was expected to increase.
“The wind is likely to be the most dangerous part of the surge in Geelong … once winds get to 90km/h you start to see fallen trees and minor property damage,” he said.
A storm surge could also cause abnormally high tides, damaging winds, and possible sea water flooding of low lying areas.
Sea levels could rise considerably above the normal high tide mark across Monday afternoon and evening.
Meanwhile an SES spokesman said peak tides are expected on Tuesday, posing potential hazards for both residents and visitors.
The highest tides are expected on Tuesday in the state’s west, and could result in sea water flooding of low-lying areas of the coastline.
“Community members should avoid swimming in beaches, tidal rivers and creeks as we go through this period of storm surge, and always keep away from any flooded drains, rivers, streams and other waterways.”
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Originally published as Damage minimal from storm surge’s severe winds
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