Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds for people in the North Central, North East, South West, Central, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts

Issued at 10:05 am EDT on Tuesday 17 March 2015.

Weather Situation

A low pressure trough is about to enter western Victoria and will progress through western areas this afternoon then central areas this evening to reach the east early on Wednesday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 50 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are forecast for the North Central, North East, South West, Central, West and South Gippsland and East Gippsland forecast districts. The band of strongest winds will progress from the South West district this morning to Central areas this afternoon and eastern areas tonight. The strongest winds will mostly be felt at elevated sites above 500 metres elevation, however gusts could also exceed 90 km/h with thunderstorms.

A gust of 100 km/h occurred at Mt William just after 9:30am.

CMIB Insurance advises that people should:

       Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.

       Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

       Keep clear of fallen power lines.

For emergency help in floods and storms, call our office on (03) 9421 5088 or ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.