VICTORIA. — Victorians are being urged to assess their storm readiness and take steps to prepare their properties in the coming weeks, as the state’s Higher Risk Weather Season fast approaches.
Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) staff and volunteers gathered at VICSES Emerald Unit last week, historically among the state’s busiest storm emergency response units, for the announcement of up to $2.6m in supplementary state government funding for additional resources for the upcoming storm season, including additional financing of VICSES’ ‘Are You Storm Ready?’ campaign to improve community preparedness.
The announcement also included funding for vehicle-integrated and portable Starlink units to improve communications in remote locations across the state, support for the introduction of five pilot Bobcat units to assist in the trial of these assets for removal of fallen trees and debris and additional flood response resourcing.
VICSES Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton joined VICSES Emerald Unit Controller Jess Rice and volunteers from VICSES Emerald and Knox units to reinforce the importance of preparedness, following a year which saw local volunteers called to more than 800 storm-related incidents.
“This Higher Risk Weather Season, we’re calling on all Victorians to take action to ensure they are storm ready,” Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton said.
It marked only the second time since 2019/20 that VICSES Emerald Unit had attended fewer than 1,000 storm-related callouts in a financial year.
The unit also recently marked five years since the devastating June 2021 storms, an event widely regarded as VICSES’ single busiest event on record and one which heavily contributed to VICSES Emerald Unit’s record storm response of 1,600 incidents in 2020/21.
Historically set to commence next month and continue until April, Victoria’s Higher Risk Weather Season often brings an elevated risk of stormy conditions, strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Victorians can take simple steps to prepare their properties ahead of the spring and summer months by clearing gutters and drains, trimming back overhanging trees and branches and tying down loose outdoor items such as furniture, trampolines and umbrellas.
“Simple actions taken now, such as clearing gutters and drains, trimming overhanging branches and tying down loose outdoor items, can protect your property in the face of severe weather and greatly reduce your risk of requiring SES emergency assistance,” Mr Drayton said.
If conditions are dangerous, community members can also limit their risk of requiring a VICSES emergency response by avoiding travel in heavily treed areas and never entering floodwater under any circumstances.
To find out more about how to prepare this storm season, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/emergencies/storm.
If you require SES emergency assistance, call 132 500. IN an emergency, call Triple Zero.
