Cruel thieves steal storm-affected locals’ generators, Dandenong Ranges businesses struggling

Victoria’s top cop Shane Patton has hit out at heartless thieves who stole generators from devastated storm-affected locals in Melbourne’s north-east.

Olinda business owners say they are dealing with the financial fallout from the wild storms that lashed the Dandenongs.

Traffic into the small town has been halted by road closures and piles of fallen tree trucks that line Mount Dandenong Tourist Road amid community clean-up efforts.

It comes as heartless thieves stole generators from storm ravaged residents in Melbourne’s outer east.

ADF personnel deliver generators to Olinda homes still without power. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The theft of generators were from properties who had been directly impacted by the storms.

Additional police have been deployed to patrol the area.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton confirmed five generators had been stolen over a period of 10 days in the Dandenong Ranges.

“It’s disgusting, it’s a dog act,” Mr Patton said on 3AW.

“It is disgraceful. Where is the humanity in anyone who would do that, it is indescribable.” An AusNet spokeswoman said on Wednesday 1434 residents across the Dandenongs were still without power.

One business owner, who runs a gift shop in Olinda’s main shopping district, told the Herald Sun daily revenue has been slashed to just $15 per day.

“We are used to turning over more than $4000 on a Saturday,” she said.

“Yesterday I took in $15 total.”

She said business owners have been left stranded after the “traumatic” weather with minimal support from the local council and relief packages from the state government that cannot cover her staff’s wages.

“I can’t pay my staff, there are five people at home who can’t come into work,” she said.

“The trauma people have been through is unimaginable.

“We are such a tourist based business that we need people allowed back here as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, ADF personnel could be seen distributing generators to residents still without power around the mountain, more than a week after the devastating storm.

Many households are still without power after the recent storm. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

An Australian Red Cross spokeswoman said crews remained in Olinda and Kalorama on Wednesday, where it is believed up to 150 people a day have sought access to showers and emotional support.

“We are providing psychological first aid, trauma teddies to the children, linking people to up to services,” she said.

More residents are expected to filter through the Red Cross’ “shower and power” stations.

It comes as more storms are set to sweep across Victoria this week.

Those still reeling from the deadly weather event two weeks ago will be spared most of the impact.

Rain, damaging winds and thunderstorms will develop over the state from Wednesday as a cold front moves in.

Merlin Edgar, 89, was left without power at her home when the storms hit. Picture: Jason Edwards

The weather bureau said some flooding was possible but it wouldn’t be in the regions affected by severe storms on June 9 and 10.

Senior meteorologist Matthew Thomas said northerly winds would increase throughout Wednesday with gusts of 60 to 70km/h in the central highlands, rising to 90km/h in the alpine regions.

A severe weather warning has been issued for damaging winds for parts of East Gippsland, northeast Victoria and west and south Gippsland, with locations likely to be affected including Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Buller.

Mr Thomas said there would rain across most of the state from Wednesday to Friday, with the heaviest totals in the northeast and the western regions of Friday.

Fortunately, Gippsland, which has been hit by major flooding over the passed fortnight will be spared of most of the rain with less that 5mm expected across the three days.

Inverness Rd neighbours Lilly Markovic, 46, Merlin Edgar, 89, Rose Henderson, 63, Kinley, 16, and Jess Czmok, 35, will be without power for weeks. Picture: Jason Edwards

“No, we don’t see any impacts that will have an affect on the river rises, and the winds also don’t look like they will impact on Gippsland,” Mr Thomas said.

“There is a chance in west and south Gippsland on Thursday that there might be an isolated thunderstorm pushing through during the afternoon but that shouldn’t have terribly much of an impact.”

But the northeast could see some minor flooding develop over the next three days.

“It’s expected the northeast river catchments will see river rises on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and it’s possible some of those rivers, such as the Kiewa River, might go into minor flood during those days,” Mr Thomas said.

He said the minor flood warning for the Latrobe River in Gippsland was expected to be lifted over the next few days bringing some welcome relief for residents as the recover from major floods in the region.