Victorians Advised to Stay Indoors Amid Severe Weather Warnings

Victorian authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel as a powerful cold front sweeps across the state, expected to bring wind gusts of up to 100 km/h. Emergency services have warned individuals to remain vigilant for potential downed trees and property damage.

Starting late Sunday afternoon and extending into the early hours of Monday, regions including metropolitan Melbourne and many parts of regional Victoria are bracing for extreme wind conditions. Coastal areas, particularly from the South Australian border to the Bellarine Peninsula, are on high alert for gusts reaching between 130 km/h and 146 km/h.

Recent reports have confirmed a peak gust of 146 km/h at Wilsons Promontory around 2:30 AM on Monday, with wind speeds also reaching 132 km/h at Falls Creek. Significant gusts were recorded offshore at Fawkner Beacon with a measurement of 141 km/h, while St Kilda registered winds of up to 113 km/h.

Tim Wiebusch, chief officer of operations for the State Emergency Service (SES), stated, «It doesn’t get much more significant than this when it comes to severe weather.» Wiebusch emphasized that everyone should have a contingency plan and consider working from home for safety.

Residents are encouraged to prepare by charging mobile phones, ensuring access to non-electric lighting such as torches and candles, and securing outdoor items that may be affected by the high winds. School closures will be assessed on Monday morning, with updates provided via the Department of Education’s communication channels.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), the dangerous winds are linked to a cold front arriving in the early hours of Monday, bringing not only strong winds but also the possibility of showers and thunderstorms.

As communities throughout the state deal with the severe conditions, the SES has recorded an influx of calls for assistance, particularly in the greater Geelong region. Downed trees and structural damage have been reported across various areas.

With wind gusts likened to those seen in a category two or three cyclone, officials continue to urge residents to stay informed about ongoing weather updates and to exercise caution, especially in heavy tree-lined areas.

Further challenges are anticipated as the front passes, including high tides that may lead to inundation in vulnerable coastal zones. The situation is evolving, with ongoing assessments of the storm’s impact throughout Victorian communities.