Two out-of-control bushfires threaten Victoria as an extreme heatwave follows destructive overnight storms. Wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h, heavy rain, and large hail pounded the state, raising concerns about dry lightning exacerbating fire risks. Over 800 calls for help were received by the SES, with Geelong being the hardest hit area. Interstate firefighting teams have been deployed to assist in battling the blazes, while residents in affected regions are urged to seek shelter and remain vigilant.
Victoria ns are facing a dire situation as two out-of-control bushfires rage amidst a relentless extreme heatwave. This follows a night of destructive storms that plunged many areas into darkness, causing widespread power outages. On Sunday, powerful thunderstorms lashed Victoria , unleashing winds exceeding 109 km/h at Point Wilson near Geelong. Heavy rainfall battered Frankston, while large hail descended upon Tootgarook on the Mornington Peninsula.
Sky News Weather Meteorologist Alison Osborne described the overnight storms as forceful, raising concerns about potential dry lightning strikes. 'Thunderstorms rounded out the day and continued overnight packing a punch with large hail, gusty winds and heavy bursts of rain including around the Geelong area,' Ms Osborne stated. She further warned that the possibility of dry lightning from these thunderstorms could worsen the already heightened fire risks.The State Emergency Service (SES) received over 800 calls for help, with more than half originating from the City of Geelong, which bore the brunt of the storm's impact. Geelong was particularly hard hit, enduring the storm's presence for an extended period. 'We've got storms, fires and floods, everything else going on at once,' said SES State Duty Officer Andrew Fagan, highlighting the multifaceted challenges faced by the region.With the escalating fire threat, Victoria has received assistance from 114 interstate firefighters and incident management team personnel, along with vehicles, from states including South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Vic Emergency expressed gratitude for their support and recognized the efforts of these interstate colleagues in aiding the Victorian community. Residents of Little Desert National Park in Peronne have been issued a dire warning, advised that it is too late to evacuate and must seek immediate shelter. The situation remains critical, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing safety advice due to the imminent threat of extreme heatwave conditions spreading eastward over the coming days. They urge individuals to seek cool places, close windows and draw blinds to minimize heat exposure. Melbourne and Adelaide are bracing for temperatures to reach a scorching 40 degrees Celsius on Monday, while other Victorian locations like Bendigo, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Geelong, Horsham, Melton, Maryborough, Shepparton, and Traralgon are also expected to experience high temperatures. South Australian towns of Clare, Jamestown, Murray Bridge, Oak Valley, and Renmark are likely to face similar conditions
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