Victorians are being warned to secure items they have in gardens and on balconies as wild winds of up to 130km/hour head their way.
The Bureau of Meteorology and State Emergency Services (SES) in Victoria have warned locals in southeast Australia, including central Victoria, parts of Melbourne and south and west Gippsland to prepare.
Victoria SES chief officer Tim Wiebusch said: “Victorians are asked to secure outdoor items around the backyard. These items become missiles during these events.”
Wiebusch asked all Victorians to “act now” and stay informed as the weather system heads towards the state.
“As a result, we’re asking Victorians to be alert on roads and keep an eye out for fallen trees and debris over the next 36 hours,” Wiebusch said.
“Now is the time to act,” he added.
Wiebusch said people should also avoid rock fishing and parking under trees as the strong winds continue over the next few days.
Victoria SES says it has responded to 136 calls, mostly for tree falls, in the past 24 hours.
It’s expected damaging winds will continue for the next 36 hours and the Bureau of Meteorology has warned some destructive gusts could reach 130km/hr.
Senior meteorologist Kevin Parkin said the wild weather is a result of a significant cold front, which has been spurred on by abnormally high temperatures for this time of year.
He warned the destructive gusts are knocking on Victoria’s doorstep.
“At the moment the cold front is moving rapidly across the southern ocean,” Parkin said.
“Gusts are already picking up and the cold front isn’t even here yet.”
Parkin said winds could ease off in the early evening but couple remain strong.
“Often we see the winds die off at night, and in some parts of Melbourne and south Victoria we will see that, but don’t be fooled,” he added.
“Some parts will continue to see 90km gusts overnight.”
Victorians could wake to major damage to trees and roads from the strong gusts during the late evening and early morning.
