Emergency services warn of dangers A
BY NICK RIDLEY
n emergency-services leader has urged people still involved in summer holiday activities in the Wimmera to remain wary of the impact of a damaging storm front that crossed Victoria last week.
Victoria State Emergency Service state agency commander Jackson Bell said personnel had mainly responded to flooding, fallen trees and branches and building damage. “We know there might also be campers enjoying the outdoors. Those camping should secure sites – and not take shelter under trees – as there is still a risk of falling branches or whole trees,” he said. “Choose your campsite well and stay away from the edge of creeks that might be subject to flash flooding. Mr Bell said individuals should never drive on flooded roads because it might be the last decision they make.
From January 26 to 29, State Emergency Services across mid and northwest Victoria responded to 574 incidents. Of those calls, 218 related to flooding; 211 to trees down and 115 to building damage. Summarising VICSES details from Wimmera centres: Ararat unit fielded five calls for help, three for building damage and two for trees down; Horsham unit, 24 trees down, six building damage, and three for flood. Country Fire Authority District 16 assistant chief fire officer Bernie Fradd said the rain had put out most fires caused by lightning strikes started on Australia Day. He said fire fighters from CFA districts 16 and 17 responded to reports of spot fires across the region. Wimmera Catchment Management Authority statutory and strategic manager Tony Baker said the thunderstorms that occurred on Australia Day were isolated events.
He said there was a little rise in the catchment’s gauge at Eversley. GWMWater storage manager Kym Wilson said as of January 25, Grampian’s reservoirs were holding 36.84 percent of their capacity. He said summer evaporation would offset much of the gain in volume from last week’s storms. “About 20mm to 40mm of rain fell across Grampians reservoirs between January 26 and January 28,” he said. Bureau climatologists are continuing to closely follow conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean, influencing weather across Australia, as well as other climate models. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a return to settled weather for the Wimmera for the next few weeks. The outlook comes after emergency services and various authorities across the region assessed the impact of the storm front that crossed the region, sparking lighting-strike fires, minor flooding and felling trees.
DOWNPOUR: Wet weather last week had emergency services on alert. Two low-lying areas in Horsham, subject to flooding in the past, were awash after heavy rain. McPherson Street, above, near Hosham velodrome, and O’Callaghan Parade, bottom left, created traffic hazards. Lightning strikes, as seen below from Big Hill, Stawell, occurred across the region. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER
Picture: MICHAEL SCALZO
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Wednesday, February 2, 2022
