Two Die as Extreme Winds Lash Victoria, Causing Widespread Damage
A powerful storm system brought devastating winds and chaos to Victoria on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic deaths of two men swept from Frankston Pier and leaving tens of thousands without power. The extreme weather, with gusts reaching 130 km/h, also caused significant damage across the state, disrupting transportation and forcing the cancellation of the historic Geelong Cup.
Tragedy at Frankston Pier
Emergency services responded to reports of two men in distress near Frankston Beach shortly before 4:45 PM local time. A Victoria Police Air Wing helicopter was deployed, capturing footage of the turbulent conditions as a rescue officer was winched down to the scene. Despite swift action, both men were found unresponsive in the water just after 5:00 PM and could not be revived. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased and are preparing a report for the coroner.
Frankston Council Mayor Kris Bolam expressed deep sorrow, stating, “On behalf of the entire Frankston City community, I extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends and loved ones. We share in your grief and stand with you during this heartbreaking time.” Bolam emphasized the incident as a stark reminder of the “power of nature” and the inherent risks associated with severe weather events.
Statewide Impact of Damaging Winds
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) had warned that suburbs bordering Port Phillip Bay would bear the brunt of the storm. Forecaster Dean Narramore noted the potential for significant disruption. The warnings proved accurate, as widespread damage was reported throughout outer metropolitan areas, leading to road closures and widespread power outages.
Wind gusts peaked at 130 km/h at Wilsons Promontory, with other areas experiencing similarly ferocious conditions: 120 km/h at Mount Gellibrand, 117 km/h at Falls Creek, 113 km/h at Mount Hotham, and 98 km/h at Cape Otway.
One particularly dramatic incident occurred in Malvern, where a large tree collapsed onto a tram and the rear of a nearby vehicle. A driver, identified as Michelle, recounted her harrowing experience to ABC Radio Melbourne, stating, “I was driving, just passing the tram at a red light and I heard a bang from the back seat… my daughter was in the child’s seat, so I ran out to see if she was OK.” Fortunately, Michelle and her daughter escaped serious injury.
Power Outages and Disrupted Events
The storm plunged approximately 13,918 homes and businesses into darkness by Wednesday afternoon. AusNet managed the majority of the outages, reporting 9,118 affected customers, with a concentration in the north-east areas of Beveridge, Whittlesea, Upper Plenty, and Wallan. Powercor reported an additional 3,974 homes without power across the north and west.
The severe weather also forced the abandonment of the historic Geelong Cup after just three races. Concerns for jockey safety, coupled with emergency services’ predictions of gusts up to 65 km/h trackside, prompted the decision. Racegoers were evacuated from marquees as a precaution. This marks the first time the cup has been cancelled since 1953. The remaining six races have been rescheduled for Thursday, starting at 2:25 PM, including a contest featuring Gilded Water, a Melbourne Cup hopeful owned by King Charles.
BoM duty forecaster Daniel Hayes confirmed that the worst of the weather had passed by Wednesday evening, with conditions expected to improve significantly on Thursday, offering much-needed relief to emergency services and affected communities.
