Footy fans warned as wild weather sweeps the state
Footy fans could cop commuter chaos on their way to tonight’s match, thanks to dangerous wind gusts sweeping the state.
Victoria
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Wild weather could dampen the spirits of footy fans on Friday, as strong winds create chaos across the state.
A storm event in the state’s southwest has resulted in hundreds of calls from distressed residents requiring help from the SES, while power has gone out in parts of Greater Melbourne.
Meanwhile, a Spring storm in Sydney in conjunction with Victoria’s gusty winds has contributed to minor delays at Melbourne Airport, with planes forced to share one runway earlier this morning.
The conditions in the alpine regions were dire, with a motorcyclist being killed by a falling tree in Bonang about 11am.
Slightly west, a driver lost control of their vehicle just after 10am near Mount Buller.
The driver and their three passengers were in the car when it slipped off an embankment and landed on a tree. Only one person sustained minor injuries while the rest were uninjured.
Then in Warrnambool, the wind gusts were so strong, a small building at a local football club was reduced to rubble.
Meteorologist Joanna Hewes from the Bureau of Meteorology told the Herald Sun, a low pressure system moving eastwards through Bass Strait is to blame for the strong winds.
“We had a cold front move across the state yesterday and we had a big mass of cold air behind it so that’s responsible for the cold temperature and (possible) small hail,” she said.
“There’s also a cold pressure system …(which is creating) strong winds.”
Damaging wind gusts of up to 100km/h were forecasted over the central and eastern ranges on Friday morning, while south-westerly winds are expected to reach speeds between 60 and 70km/h over the southwest coast in the afternoon.
Some of the strongest winds seen in Victoria in the 24 hours to 9am Friday include 137km/h in Hotham, 109km/h in Port Fairy and 81km/h at Melbourne Airport.
In other parts of the state damaging winds could reach speeds of 100km/h, before those winds move to West and South Gippsland in the afternoon.
Sheep Graziers Warnings are current for parts of Victoria, while large waves are also expected in the southeast of the country today with a damaging surf warning issued.
The BOM said waves in excess of seven meters are possible, easing later in the day.
While winds are expected to subside for Friday’s AFL match between Carlton and Sydney at the MCG, footy fans are being urged to brace for possible commuter chaos due to fallen trees and other related incidents.
“(Footy goers) should keep an eye out for advice from the SES and any information relating to road closures or public transport delays,” Ms Hewes said.
She added fans will want to “rug up” with temperatures much cooler compared to Thursday’s Collingwood v Melbourne game.
“The bulk of winds will ease (by tonight’s game) but there are also some showers coming through into this evening so there’ll probably be a shower for the start of the game,” she said.
“There is also the potential for small hail.”
The state’s SES crews have responded to 800 requests for assistance since midnight, as of 1pm, which include 203 calls for trees falling down and 137 calls for building damage. About 380 calls remain active.
“Our busiest units were Warrnambool (129), Portland (51), and Port Fairy (31),” the SES said.
Those in need of assistance should call 132 500 for SES help.
As winds continue throughout the day, Victorians are urged to park their cars undercover and away from trees, stay inside if conditions outside are dangerous, secure all loose items if safe to do so and to check on neighbours.
Those with pets are also encouraged to check that their gates and any doors are secured to prevent their dogs or other animals from running away.
Meanwhile, for those that are driving, VicEmergency advised motorists they should pull over away from trees, drains and low lying areas if conditions are too dangerous and should be on the look out for road hazards such as mud and debris.
As of 1.10pm more than 6100 customers in the states west and north west were experiencing unplanned power outages, most of which occurred due to the strong winds.
According to Citipower, residents in the regions aren’t expected to have their connection restored until after 6pm, while in metropolitan Melbourne, those in Point Cook and Altona Meadows were estimated to have their power restored by 4.30pm.
Meanwhile, not far from the CBD, residents in Richmond, Cremorne, Kew and Hawthorne also experienced power outages.
In the state’s east, more than 2800 customers were affected by power outages as of 2pm.
Fortunately, temperatures are expected to warm up in the coming days, with forecasters predicting highs in the mid-20s towards the end of next week.
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