Tragic Storm Aftermath: Woman Killed by Falling Tree as Victoria Faces Power Crisis
As Victoria reels from the impact of devastating storms, the community is grappling with the loss of a life amid the widespread destruction. Over the past few days, the state has been battered by ferocious winds and severe weather, leaving tens of thousands of residents without power and emergency services stretched thin.
The storms that struck Victoria have been nothing short of catastrophic. Gusts of wind reaching up to 146 km/h have torn through the state, resulting in extensive damage to properties and infrastructure. On Monday morning, a tragic incident underscored the severity of the weather’s impact. A 63-year-old woman from Inverleigh, near Geelong, was killed when a tree fell on the cabin she was staying in at Moama, on the Victoria-NSW border. Her husband, also 63, survived but sustained injuries and was later discharged from hospital.
The State Emergency Service (SES) has been inundated with requests for help, with more than 5,100 calls for assistance since Sunday night. Of these, approximately 3,600 were related to fallen trees, and 1,400 concerned building damage. Despite the tireless efforts of volunteers and emergency crews, there are still 224 active requests for help as of late Tuesday.
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Frankston in Melbourne's south-east has been hit particularly hard, with over 290 calls to the SES from this area alone. The extensive damage has prompted warnings about delays in assistance. On the nearby Mornington Peninsula, the damage was evident with beach boxes at Mills Beach suffering significant destruction.
Across Victoria, around 30,000 properties remain without power. AusNet, the primary energy provider, reported that around 28,000 customers were affected as of Tuesday evening, with some not expected to have their power restored until Wednesday evening. Gippsland, including the Baw Baw Shire, South Gippsland, and the Latrobe Valley, has been among the hardest hit, with over 22,000 people still in the dark. The energy company has restored power to approximately 150,000 customers but faces ongoing challenges with damaged infrastructure and fallen power lines.
Looking ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology warns of more severe weather, with a cold front expected to bring additional winds and showers later in the week. While the forthcoming weather is unlikely to match the intensity of the recent storms, it still poses a risk for further damage.
As emergency services continue their efforts, the resilience of the community is being tested. SES state duty officer Shane McBride highlighted the exhaustion among volunteers who have been working tirelessly for over a week. Despite their fatigue, they remain committed to providing the necessary support and ensuring safety in the affected areas.
The aftermath of these storms serves as a stark reminder of nature’s power and the importance of community solidarity in the face of disaster. As Victoria begins to recover, the focus remains on restoring power, assisting those in need, and preparing for any further weather-related challenges.
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