Weather lashes the region

A tree fell across Ring Road in Wendouree, resulting in mass power outages leaving more than 4000 homes without power, including more than 1500 in Creswick. 

Damaging winds hit Ballarat with peak gusts reaching up to 82 kilometres an hour at Ballarat airport on Tuesday morning.

The Bureau of Meterology issued a severe weather warning for Ballarat and surrounds, while the SES was called to dozens of jobs for trees down in the area. 

Ballarat experienced two thirds of the month’s average rainfall in just two days, with the Steve Moneghetti track around Lake Wendouree partially closed on Tuesday due to flooding. 

Meterologist Dean Stewart said 80-90 km/h gusts had been recorded in the wider region with reports of hail and thunder in parts of the state. 

“Generally there’s been some 80-90 km/h gusts around the area, with the ground very sodden those sort of winds are enough to uproot trees,” Mr Stewart said. 

“We had a front go through this morning, behind it we’ve had the very cold gusty winds behind the front.

“A combination of the front going through the rain combined with westerly winds behind the front led to trees coming down.” 

Skipton residents remained relatively calm despite water threatening to inundate the town for the second time in as many weeks. SES commanders said at 10am Tuesday that water levels could reach as high as five metres, however by midday residents had been assured that they would peak at three metres, sparing the town and houses from flood waters. 

Resident of 16 years Hazel Robson had her house destroyed in 2011. Two weeks ago she had moved furniture from the ground and says she has lived in the limbo for the last two weeks.

She has not experienced such constant flood threats during her time in the area. 

“Normally you get a flood and it goes away, but I have been anxious for two weeks,” Ms Robson said. 

“It would be nice to get a good night’s sleep.”