Up to 4000 Bendigo customers were left without power on Monday as wind gusts caused a number of power line faults.
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A Powercor spokesperson said crews were working to restore power in Bendigo and surrounds with 2700 customers on Bendigo's western outskirts are without power and another 1200 customers to Bendigo's east offline.
"We're expecting to have customers back on supply throughout the course of the afternoon and evening," the spokesperson said.
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Wind was also to blame when a tree fell across lines in the Harcourt area this afternoon.,
The tree brought power lines wires down along White Gum Road, Barkers Creek and caused a minor outage.
Customers are reminded to stay well clear of any fallen powerlines and always treat them as live.
You can report any fallen wires to Powercor on 13 24 12.
Most of state urged to batten down hatches to prepare for gusty winds
After some severe storms over the weekend, people in central Victoria are being warned not to be complacent as more warnings come into place.
The State Emergency Service confirmed crews in the Loddon Mallee region attended 43 requests for assistance in the 24 hours leading to 6am this morning.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a strong cold front is forecast to shift off the coast later on Monday morning and will produce a vigorous west to southwesterly airstream across a large portion of the state.
Damaging west to southwesterly winds averaging between 50 and 70 km/h with peak gusts up to 110 km/h are likely along much of the central and Gippsland districts.
For the remainder of the warning area, squally conditions will develop during the day with damaging gusts of up to 100 km/h possible, especially with showers or thunderstorms.
Winds are expected to moderate later in the evening, although central and Gippsland coastal locations will remain a risk.
Locations which may be affected include Bendigo, Maryborough, Horsham, Warrnambool, Shepparton, Seymour, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Traralgon and Bairnsdale.
The State Emergency Service advises people should:
- If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
- Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
- Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
- Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
- Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
- Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
- Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.
The next warning will be issued by 5pm.
The bureau has also alerted central Victorians to a renewed warning for some rivers in the region.
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Moderate flooding is occurring downstream of Laanecoorie on the Loddon River following some rain in the area across the weekend.
Since 9.00 am Sunday, rainfall totals of up to 6mm have been observed across the catchment and further rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Monday into Tuesday.
The Loddon River downstream of Cairn Curran is at 2.03 metres and steady, with minor flooding occurring.
It is likely to remain around the minor flood level (2.00 m) Monday morning.
There are also minor flood warnings in place for the Avoca and Campaspe rivers.
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