Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) received 2,200 calls for help during last weekend’s storm, with more than 400 active jobs still underway.
VICSES has reminded residents in storm-affected parts of Victoria that hundreds of incident responses were ongoing, and crews would prioritise and respond as quickly as possible.
“Volunteers have dealt with a mammoth 2,200 calls for help during hail, wind and storms in the last 48 hours, with over 480 incidents still being dealt with on Tuesday afternoon,” VICSES said.
“The hardest-hit areas were in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs, with units from Melbourne Metro, Barwon South West, Mid-West and North-West Units all assisting in emergency short-term repairs,” it said.
“Volunteers were also backed up by Metropolitan Fire Brigade crews, with crews working together to deal with large trees blocking numerous roads and over 1,000 calls for building damage.”
VICSES said the bulk of the requests for assistance related to collapsed ceilings, smashed skylights or roof tiles, and trees over homes.
It said the requests followed a powerful storm system that drenched Melbourne’s north and west before moving towards the state’s east.
“It is understood that a number of Victorians are still awaiting assistance with minor or non-emergency damage to their homes,” VICSES said.
VICSES said those with minor damage were being advised to contact insurers and relevant trades people to make permanent repairs.
