Morning Storms Bring Death, Widespread Power Outages and Destruction through Victoria

A devastating stormy weather system swept through Victoria, leaving a trail of destruction and loss in its wake. A 50-year-old dairy farmer died when a storm struck the South Gippsland region, and nearly 135,000 customers are still without power. The Australian state premier, Jacinta Allan, expressed her condolences to the man’s family and those who responded to the incident.

The farmer’s death is the second workplace fatality this year and highlights the risks associated with outdoor work during extreme weather conditions. WorkSafe Victoria is investigating the incident, and police reported that the man was struck by debris while working on a property.

Meanwhile, bushfires continue to burn in western Victoria, with authorities struggling to confirm the exact number of homes lost. Electricity outages persist, with the majority of the affected customers located in eastern Victoria. The Victorian government has confirmed that hundreds of phone towers are down, and about 148,000 NBN customers are without internet.

A significant number of schools and early childhood services were closed due to the power outages, accessibility issues, and sewage and water problems. The government is working to reopen the schools as soon as possible. Commuters are facing disruptions, with some train services affected, and buses replacing trains on specific routes.

The bushfires have also impacted health services, with surgeries and appointments canceled at the Wonthaggi hospital and Phillip Island health hub. Even though most patients have been transferred, those with serious medical conditions are still being treated at the affected facilities.

The Victorian premier issued a statement, saying that the catastrophic bushfire risk has been downgraded to extreme. She emphasized that the government is doing everything possible to support those affected by the outages and fires.

Fire crews are battling to control the blazes, and authorities are assessing the impact of the fires on Pomonal. A spokesperson for VicEmergency confirmed that 124 of the 150 State Emergency Service units are deployed in recovery efforts.

As the region begins to rebuild, concerns are being raised about the long-term effects of the fires. The once-pristine Grampians national park has been severely damaged, and authorities are urging people to be patient and stay alert for hazards as they navigate the affected areas.

The event has left many in the community shaken, especially those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. As one resident, Aidan Banfield, said, “The classic pitch you see… is a little hose fighting fires, and that happens. But there’s definitely others that have really significant power.”