Storm
Storms in Shepparton
Storms typically only last from a few minutes to a few hours. Warnings for storms are typically issues on the day of the storm and as short notice as half an hour.
Property damage, fallen power lines and road hazards are the most common consequences of storms in the Greater Shepparton Region
Common Events During a Storm
Flash Flooding
Hail stones
Lighting
Strong Winds and Tornadoes
Preparation
Keeping your property clear of potential hazards are key to storm resilience. Properties that are prepare are less likely to face damage associated with storm events and the community are prepared for events such as power outages.
Things you can do today
Keeping your gutters and downpipes clean
Have Tree's trimmed away from buildings
Clean out drains
Replace Broken Tiles
Have an Emergency Plan and Go Bag to prepare for evacuation and power outages.
Ensure your insurance coverage is adequate and up to date.
Warnings
Greater Shepparton falls in the Northern Country Weather Region for the Bureau of Meteorology.
Before and during a storm event you can find information, advice and warnings from the following locations.
On the Internet
Vic Emergency (Website and Apps) - https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/
Bureau of Meteorology- http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/
SES
Emergency Radio Broadcasts
ABC 97.7 FM
Triple M Goulburn Valley 95.3 FM
HIT Goulburn Valley 96.9 FM
Over the Phone
SES Information Line (During major floods or storms) 1300 842 737
Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226
Bureau of Meteorology 1300 659 217
If you need an interpreter to help with emergency information, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Vic Emergency Hotline (1800 226 226)
Please note, that Shepparton Search and Rescue will not be a source of current information during a storm event, we are busy on the ground while experts from Emergency Management Victoria, Bureau of Meteorology and VIC SES asses the situation and provide warnings and updates via the media listed above.
When do storms Happen In The Shepparton Region
Strong winds are the most common type of weather event, and though can happen any time of the year are most likely to happen during Winter and Spring inline with Lowe Pressure systems
Most of our severe thunderstorms happen between October and April with the most active months being January followed by December and November. Consequently this is where you are most likely to see large hail. Though thunderstorms can happen any time of the day they are most frequent in the early afternoon and evening.
Tornado's can happen any time of the year, typically Tornado's happen closer to the Murray river around Numurkah and north but have occurred in areas south such as Euroa and Benalla.
When a storm is expected
Going over final checks when a storm warning has been issued is the next step.
This should only take a few minutes are reduces the risk of your property being damaged
Things to do before the storm
Park your car undercover or away from trees
Tie down or store loose outdoor furniture and trampolines
Check your Go Bag that your torch and radio batteries are working
When a Storm becomes Severe
A Servere Thunderstom warning will be issues if one of the following are forcast along with a thunderstorm
Wind Gusts of 90km/h or more
Damaging winds of 50km/h or greater
Tornadoes
Heavy Rainfall conductive to flash flooding
Hailstones with a diameter of 2cm or greater
A Severe Weather Warning will be issues if on the following are forecast and not directly caused by a thunderstorm or fire warning
Wind Gust of 90km/h or more
Heavy Rainfall is conductive to flash flooding
A Very Dangerous Thunderstorm Warning will replace a Severe Thunderstorm warning when the following are forecast
Hailstones with a diameter of 5cm or greater
Wind Guest of 125km'h or greater
During the storm
Storms typically only last a short time. Taking cover at home and waiting out the storm is the best thing you can do for you and your family. Staying off the roads also makes it easier for emergency service workers to navigate and respond to storm damage.
Look out for and avoid
Fallen Trees
Damaged and flooded roads
Fallen Powerlines
Emergency Service workers
Driving through flood waters as little as 15cm.
Storm Triage Priority
Emergency Management Victoria has defined the Triage Priorities during a storm in which we operate to. They as as followed
Threatened or Entrapped Persons
Trapped in cars, buildings etc.
Evacuation of person in the event of a flash flood.
Traffic Hazard Presenting a potential threat to life
Major arterials, main roads and single access roads
Render Critical Infrastructure and community asses safe and provide protections from further damage
Removal of trees from structure or that are likely to cause further damage
Tarping to reduce impacts of weather on the structure.
Shoring (if safe to do so) of building to reduce the risk of collapse
Flood protection (where possible).
Render Primary Residence (Building Only) Safe and Provided protection from further damage
Removal of trees from primary residence structure or that are likely to cause further damage.
Tarping to reduce impacts of weather on the structure.
Shoring (if safe to do so) of building to reduce the risk of collapse.
Flood protection (where possible).
Tree Down block access or Egress for property owners and Public footpaths
Removal of tree from driveway and paths that prevent entry and/or exit either by foot or vehicle from property.
Removal of tree from public footpath that has the potential to impede foot traffic.
Render Private Property safe and provide protection from further damage
Making safe fences.
Removal of trees from structures.
Tarping to reduce impacts of weather on the structure.
Shoring (if safe to do so) of building to reduce the risk of collapse.
Information sourced from https://files-em.em.vic.gov.au/public/Doctrine/ManHand/VIC-EOpsHandbook.pdf
After a Storm
It is likely that clean up will be required after a storm event. Though the immediate danger may have past there is still dangers present and you should be aware of.
Flood water may have damaged the road surface below or dislodged manhole or drain covers
Fallen powerlines
Dangerous and fallen trees
You should also inspect your house for damage which including the following.
Damaged property
Fallen trees or branches
Damaged roof tiles
Leaves and other debris
It is worth noting the Shepparton Search and Rescue as well as other Emergency services do not repair damage, our aim is make the situation safe. This may involve stating an area is unsafe and to avoid it until qualified personnel can tend to it, for example a damaged tree.
Damage to property should be resolved by either yourself, insurance or qualified personnel.
Shepparton Search and Rescue and Emergency Service's do not fund repairs after storm events.
Things we can do
Remove Fallen Trees that block access to property
Remove Fallen Trees that block access to roads
Tarp damaged buildings or cars where safe to do so
Assist, where we can, with trees that have fallen on to buildings
Assist moving furniture where water ingress may effect the property.
Things we wont Do
Take away or dispose of tree's or part of trees we have cut
Remove trees that have not fallen down or are still hanging
Fix damage to buildings, properties or cars
Remove trees beyond our capability list in the can do section.
Fund repairs or make insurance claims
Put our members or the community in significant danger
Take work from professionals where there is not a significant danger to life
Contacts During a Storm
Power Outages
Powercor is responsible for power distribution in the region.
Outages can be viewed on their website or by calling
13 24 12
https://powercor.com.au/power-outages-and-emergencies/live-outage-map/
Threat to life
Any threat to life call 000 immeditaly
Non life threating
Non life threating storm damage call the SES on
132 500
Water Supply and Sewage
Goulburn Valley Water is responsible for water in the region.
You can view disruptions on their website or by calling
1800 454 500
https://www.gvwater.vic.gov.au/service-interruptions
VIC SES has published a Emergency Repones Plan to Storms which can be found here: North East (Hume) Region Emergency Response Plan Storm Sub Plan. They also provide information on Strom Preparedness here: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/emergencies/storm and here: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/know-your-hazards/storm
Information from these sources we believe are of key interest to our community have been used to create the content on this page.