Major storm cell results in hundreds of calls for VICSES assistance

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers from throughout the state have spent days aiding communities damaged by slow-moving thunderstorms which stretched across Victoria over the weekend.

The storm cells, which largely impacted the Bellarine Peninsula on Sunday evening, tore rooves off properties, toppled trees and brought flash flooding to Geelong and its surrounds, while large hailstones were also reported in the local area.

In the 48 hours to 9am on 4 January, VICSES volunteers in the Barwon South West region had received almost 600 requests for assistance (RFAs), largely relating to trees down (281), building damage (195) and flood (85), accounting for more than half of the state’s RFAs during this period.

VICSES South Barwon Unit (224 RFAs), Geelong (108), Corio (98) and Bellarine (91) were the four busiest units in the state as VICSES was inundated with hundreds of calls for help from community members, with volunteers working through the night to provide valuable emergency support.

On Monday, additional VICSES taskforces and local CFA volunteers also leant a hand to the emergency response in the Geelong area, while crews in the state’s east including Phillip Island (47 RFAs), Knox (34) and Lilydale (32) attended and cleared any outstanding incidents followed storms which moved through earlier on Sunday afternoon.

Ahead of further forecast storms on Tuesday afternoon, VICSES volunteers across the state had cleared more than 1,100 RFAs in two days, including almost 700 downed trees, more than 250 instances of building damage and almost 100 flood-related callouts.

As warm weather continues in Victoria and with storms also likely to occur, Victorians are encouraged to ensure they know how to ‘Be Storm Smart’, by tying down loose outdoor items such as furniture and trampolines, parking vehicles undercover and away from trees, and trimming trees and branches away from structures.

For up-to-date emergency warnings and information, visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond.

Quotes attributable to David Tucek, VICSES State Agency Commander        

“VICSES volunteers have been working hard to clear any remaining Requests for Assistance, providing much-needed support to impacted communities.”

“With further storms forecast for this week, it’s important community members remain vigilant, understand their storm risk and know how to prepare their properties to mitigate that risk.”