Melbourne weather LIVE: SES and BoM issue warnings for strong winds likely to cause damage across Victoria

Thousands of customers across Victoria are currently experiencing unplanned power outages, according to reports from the state’s major electricity providers.

• Powercor, servicing homes in Victoria’s north and west, is reporting the largest number of affected customers, with 3974 homes currently without power due to multiple outages.
• AusNet, which services the state’s north and east, is managing three unplanned outages impacting 1017 customers.
• In metropolitan areas, Jemena reports an unplanned outage affecting 305 customers in Preston and Reservoir.
• Meanwhile, United Energy is dealing with eight unplanned outages, leaving 785 customers without supply.

Victorian Emergency Management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said damaging winds were forecast to reach the state’s east in the afternoon.

“We’re asking Victorians to ensure that they are prepared for power outages,” he said.

“That means be aware of fallen powerlines that may be on the ground but also ensure that you’ve charged your mobile devices.”

Windy conditions are expected to continue into the afternoon.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned gusts between 90km/h to 110km/h are expected to be “widespread” and could rise to 120km/h for the southwest Victorian coast, Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas and Bass coast.

Trees or branches were “very likely” to come down in the wild weather, creating hazards on the roads and properties, Geb Abbott from Victoria State Emergency Service said.

She called for motorists to consider alternate routes before hitting the road or if they needed to travel at all.

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State duty officer at the SES, Grant Machell, said emergency volunteers had been briefed and were ready to assist.

“The usual advice for people: be aware of where you are. Look out for branches that can fall down at any time,” he said.

Machell said the wind will be blowing from the west, rather than from the north as it generally does, meaning stressed tree branches were more likely to snap.

Machell also cautioned landowners to monitor planned burns that could become uncontrolled with the changing wind.

Over in the state’s south-west, all patrons have been evacuated from on-course marquees at the Geelong Cup, sending champagne-swilling racegoers onto the lawn as strong winds hit the racecourse.

They haven’t had much to watch, either, as stewards have delayed the races indefinitely after jockeys voiced their concerns about the wind following race three.

Stewards will reassess the situation shortly after an expected front passing through Mortlake blows past. The Geelong Cup, which guarantees the winner automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup, was due to be run at 4.10pm.

The stewards have the option to re-order the racing program if they want to ensure the Cup is run in the best conditions. The mood is still buoyant, but the wind is so strong it’s doubtful even former Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin would kick against it.

Racegoers have had to evacuate marquees due to wild winds during Geelong Cup Day.Credit: Getty Images

Between midnight and 1.30pm on Wednesday afternoon, SES volunteers received 113 call-outs for assistance, with calls expected to rise into the afternoon. A thunderstorm asthma warning is also in place.

Of the 113 call-outs so far, there have been 60 reports of trees down and 25 for building damage. Hamilton has received the most call-outs with seven, and Ararat, Dartmoor and Maryborough have each received five calls.

Electricity provider Powercor, which services homes in Victoria’s north and west, said extra crews were on standby to address outages caused by the powerful gusts.

“Extreme winds like these are rare – but when they hit, they dramatically increase the risk of trees, branches or debris damaging our network and causing localised outages,” head of network control and operations Peter Galey said in a statement.

Damaging winds are forecast across Victoria today.Credit: Paul Jeffers

“Make sure you are ready to enact your backup plan if you rely on life support equipment or need electrical items to care for others and have water available if your supply relies on power.

“Beware of fallen powerlines and always assume they are live.”

CitiPower reported about 1140 customers in Melbourne’s east were suffering from unplanned outages around noon. AusNet, which services homes across the state’s north and east is not reporting any unplanned outages.

Severe winds exceeding 100km/h are forecast to hit Melbourne and authorities are warning the wild weather could damage homes across the city as trees and power lines are brought down.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds is in place across most of the state, and the Bureau of Meteorology’s Dean Narramore said suburbs bordering Port Philip Bay would be the hardest hit in Melbourne.

“Once we get into the afternoon and evening, wind gusts of 90 to 100 and even to 110km/h are possible, mostly by the coast … or in the hills up towards the Dandenong [Ranges],” he said.

“Once you start talking about winds at and above 90 to 100km/h, that’s going to bring down trees and power lines, and cause property damage, but also can blow things around, like outdoor furniture, trampolines.”

Strong winds are also expected in Melbourne’s north-east, he said.