VICTORIA — Welcome to our live coverage of today’s severe weather event that is expected to impact metropolitan Melbourne within hours.
7.40pm AEDT: Whilst the severe weather is still impacting Melbourne, the system is moving in an easterly direction towards Gippsland which is expected to be impacted shortly.
7:00pm AEDT: According to the State Emergency Service (SES), over 150 buildings have suffered severe damage. Speeds are reduced on the Bolte and Westgate Bridges. Delays on Mernda and Hurstbridge rail lines due to trees over the tracks.
6.00pm AEDT: The SES has received over 800 calls for assistance.
5.30pm AEDT: SES crews are still dealing with a damaged tram, overhead wires and a car on the Wattle Park, route 5 tram. Route 5 trams currently terminate at stop 40. The falling tree narrowly missed a woman and her child in Malvern.
4.05pm AEDT: Powerlines down in Montmorency, closing Rattray Road. Geelong Cup to be rescheduled for another day.
4.00pm AEDT: Wind gusts of up to 150km/h are being reported in Acheron. (Source: VK3FTOM).
3.50pm AEDT: Due to an overhead power fault in Montague Street, no Route 109 trams are running between Stop 125 Clarendon Street Junction and the Port Melbourne terminus.
3:30pm AEDT: Wattle Park trams suspended after a tree fell across overhead power lines. No Route 5 trams run between Stop 40, Wattletree Road and Malvern.
3:15pm AEDT: The Geelong Cup has been postponed as it is too dangerous for horses, jockeys and track crew.
3.00pm AEDT: Several tram lines in metropolitan Melbourne have been impacted by tree branches impacting overhead wires. There are no current reports of damage to overhead wires on the metropolitan railway network.
2.40pm AEDT: Power outages are being reported across western Victoria. We understand that Mildura, Red Cliffs, parts of Geelong, Maryborough, Melton South, among many other towns, have been impacted by severe winds.
Due to the severe weather, it may not be until late tonight or tomorrow when crews can restore power. It is advised to have a battery, or hand-cranked transistor analogue AM/FM radio tuned to your local ABC station.
DO NOT RELY ON MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN EMERGENCIES.
TUNE TO YOUR ABC LOCAL RADIO STATION.
–With BoM, Amateur Radio, State Control Centre, SES, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, FRV, CFA, FFMV, Air Services Australia, AusNet, Powercor, CitiPower, MMTB, V/Line, PTV.