Metro areas, Dandenongs told to brace for severe winds

Residents bracing for strong winds across the Dandenongs and Melbourne’s northern suburbs were spared on Tuesday night, but more wild weather is on the way.

Residents bracing for damaging winds across the Dandenongs and Melbourne’s northern suburbs were spared on Tuesday night, with emergency service crews responding to an average number of calls.

An SES spokeswoman said there were only 31 calls for assistance.

“It was not a crazy night at all,” she said.

The Emerald unit was the busiest, with volunteers removing a “monster tree” from Kallista- Emerald Road.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued another severe weather warning on Wednesday morning, which includes Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs.

Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h are possible across the Otway, Macedon and Dandenong Ranges, most likely in the late morning and early afternoon.

SES Emerald unit clearing a fallen tree on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

Damaging winds with peak gusts of 100 to 110 km/h are likely over alpine peaks throughout Wednesday also.

The Dandenongs and parts of Melbourne’s northern suburbs were on high alert for damaging winds on Tuesday.

Severe weather warnings were issued for the city’s western suburbs as parts of Victoria braced for gale force winds.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Phoebe de Wilt said gusts over 100km/h were expected to blow through northern areas, such as Melbourne Airport, in the afternoon and into Tuesday night.

***This warning replaces the Severe Weather Warning issued at 10:03pm Aug 9***

A Severe Weather Warning for DAMAGING WINDS has been issued.

Issued at 4:41am Tues 10 Aug 2021
Next warning will be issued by 11am Tues

Stay informed https://t.co/Wz51FUbA6uhttps://t.co/khe9pBcyRApic.twitter.com/VgDpPIHs47

— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) August 9, 2021

The gale force winds blew east into the Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley.

The warnings for the Dandenong Ranges followed terrible weather that devastated the area, with several people killed and property destroyed by wind and falling trees in June.

Howling winds brought down trees and power lines and plunged thousands of homes into darkness.

At least 21 houses were damaged, while Trentham, near Daylesford, was cut off.

The bureau issued a gale force wind warning for Port Phillip and along the west and central coasts.

Winds are expected to remain strong on Wednesday in Victoria’s east, with the Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast urged to monitor “strengthening winds” throughout the day.

Storm damage in Olinda, in the Dandenongs. Picture: Alex Coppel

Ms de Wilt said the bureau would release updated advice and warnings throughout the day, but encouraged residents in the affected areas to stay safe when driving.

Drivers were also urged to take extra care if they needed to make a trip from metropolitan Melbourne to regional areas.

“If driving conditions are dangerous, stay away from fallen trees and powerlines,” Ms de Wilt said.

“If people are travelling to areas like the Alpine region, be mindful of the trees.”