FOLLOWING several significant wind events in the past weeks, Mansfield Shire once again braced for extreme weather last Friday with a warning issued by the Victorian State Emergency Service (SES).
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicted strong north to north-westerly winds ahead of a cold front crossing the state from the west over the Friday.
With damaging winds forecast and gusts in excess of 100km/h anticipated in elevated parts of the state, residents in the High Country were urged to be prepared.
However luckily the warnings did not eventuate, with the weekend welcoming relatively milder conditions to the preceding two weeks.
According to Morgan Pumpa from the Bureau of Meteorology it is north to north-westerly winds that have caused much of the wild weather of late.
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“We saw roughly ten days of warnings for Victoria, pretty much from August 25 onwards, with damaging to destructive winds predicted,” she said.
Ms Pumpa said the Bureau of Meteorology recorded some of the strongest winds in ten to 20 years at locations across a broad area of the state, some a high for the month and others beating annual records.
During a period of unsettled weather conditions August 25 and September 2 were two of the more active days in the Shire.
Late on the Sunday night into the early morning of Monday September 2, wind gusts reached between 100 and 150km/h across Victoria, stretching from Portland in the west to Gabo Island in the east and Eildon and Falls Creek in the north.
Wind in areas was equivalent to a category two tropical cyclone, resulting in widespread damage with more than 180,000 homes reporting power outages and 4300 calls for fallen trees, damage to property and other disruptions.
During the weather event, Mt Hotham registered wind gusts of 141km/h and Falls Creek 132km/h.
“Eildon fire tower recorded a high of 107km/h,” Ms Pumpa said.
“This was a September record, with the previous high dating back to September 26, 2013.”
However despite not reaching such record highs, it was the August 25 weather event in the shire that left the biggest trail of destruction with the Eildon fire tower recording gusts of 83km/h amidst reports of mini tornadoes wreaking localised havoc.
August 28 then recorded a monthly high of 93km/h in the early hours of the Wednesday morning, however in comparison to the August 25 event damage was minimal.
“As we approach Spring and especially when we experience a change in the season, it’s not unusual to see low pressure systems bringing a cold front,” Ms Pumpa said.
“However, it is the direction that has been different to our usual winter pattern, with lows more generally coming from the south at this time of year.
“These systems have come from the west with low pressure to the south, as powerful cold fronts move across Victoria bringing extra strong winds rather than a cold snap.
“Looking at the isobars, there was a straight line – no interruption – from Western Australia to Victoria which generated these quite significant weather patterns.
“The timing of the systems in quick succession also resulted in a continuation of the winds and warmer weather overall, with no chance to get the Southerly winds up.”
Roslyn Fauvel, Unit Controller Mansfield SES said it was important for all members of the community to realise that this is the beginning of storm season, which traditionally occurs from September to February each year in Victoria.
“Community members are encouraged to be prepared,” Ms Fauvel said.
Keeping trees trimmed, tying down and putting away loose items – such as trampolines and outdoor furniture -when winds are forecast, cleaning out gutters and drains, as well as ensuring insurance is up to date, were all recommendations.
Ms Fauvel confirmed the SES was called to assist with two houses that had extensive building damage incurred during the August 25 storm event.
One of these properties was not insured.
The severe storm which hit Mansfield and surrounds on a Sunday evening, left significant destruction in its wake.
“Several homes had trees blocking their access,” she said of the event.
The SES also worked closely with both the Mansfield Shire and VicRoads to clear trees from roads.
“It took a community effort, including local residents and CFA members to clear the road around Martins Gap and Piries.”
Conditions are predicted to ease over the coming week, with the temperature to increase over the next few days, before a cold front brings chillier weather over the weekend.
