State Emergency Services volunteers yelled at during Melbourne storms

ANGRY drivers abused and shouted at volunteers who closed flooded streets during yesterday’s fierce storms, with the SES hitting out at the rude motorists.

• MORE STORM COVERAGE: FLASH FLOODING RECOVERY CONTINUES

THE State Emergency Service has slammed drivers who abused and yelled at volunteers because they were unhappy over road closures during yesterday’s fierce storms.

In a statement on the Sunbury SES Facebook page, spokesman Jarrod Bell blasted motorists, saying safety was “number one” and he was disappointed to have received reports of the abuse from crews out in the field.

Flowers get a good soaking at the corner of Gap Rd and Evans St, Sunbury. Picture: Anita J

Corner of Evans and Station streets, Sunbury. Picture: Heather

“That we have inconvenienced you or delayed your journey is unfortunate, but our safety comes first EVERY TIME and abusing or yelling at our crews will not help,” Mr Bell wrote.

“Second our crews are volunteers, they give up their time to help other people, they train hard to be ready to respond when the time comes.

Sunbury SES volunteer Jarrod Bell is having a well-earned rest after yesterday’s mammoth clean-up.

“Abuse of these dedicated people as they do their job is simply not acceptable.

“Third, we close roads, the police close roads, the CFA close roads BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE.

“How many times does SES need to tell people to not drive, walk, play in or though flood waters?”

More than 40 Sunbury volunteers finally wrapped up helping waterlogged locals at 2am today after a “mammoth” 11 hours of around-the-clock help, Mr Bell said.

Crews responded to more than 50 calls for help in the area, including more than 30 for flooding and 20 for building damage.

Picture special: Melbourne’s wild weather

Leader readers shared snaps on Facebook during the deluge, with reports of flooding at Sunbury Square, Coles and the Woolworths carpark, and water knee-deep at many intersections.

Statewide, emergency services were flooded with more than 2000 calls for help as the storms lashed Victoria.

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Floodwaters have receded at #Sunbury - can see force of water was so strong it broke steel barriers set in ... https://t.co/Va0Aj6TCqb

— Kristy Mayr (@KristyMayr7) December 29, 2016