It was a “scary” four minutes for the Connelly family at Junortoun when the windstorm howled through their McIvor Park Court property, ripping off the verandah roof and blowing down trees.
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“We were just sitting inside and it was pouring with rain,” Shirley Connelly said.
“Then we heard the wind. It came from the north towards the McIvor Highway and just took everything with it.”
Part of the front verandah was blown onto the roof and the rest landed in the back garden. Eaves were also ripped from the roof by the force of the gale, which bent solar panels and broke off trees.
A heavy steel water wheel was blown about 50m across the front yard.
Mrs Connelly was inside with her granddaughter, Danielle Connelly, when the storm hit.
“It’s taken the roof off the front verandah. Part of it’s on the roof and the rest is in the back garden,” Mrs Connelly said.
“And it’s taken the eve from the front of the house. It’s also taken I don’t know how many tiles.”
Read more: Storm lashes Bendigo and Central Victoria
Danielle Connelly said she had just arrived home around 2.50pm and was debating whether to wait in the car until the rain has passed. She had just entered the home when the wind hit.
“It was scary,” she said.
“I just looked out the back and there were tiles on the ground. I had not long got into the house when this wind howled through.”
They emerged from the house to find the damage - but the chook pen intact.
“I had wondered if we’d find the chook pen gone,” Mrs Connelly said.
The Junortoun Fire Brigade was called out to check on the family and they were waiting for SES assistance with the roof late Tuesday afternoon.
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