General News
30 October, 2025
Trees fall as heavy winds lash the region
STATE Emergency Services (SES) units from across the region were busy last Wednesday during a strong wind event which hit the state.
Volunteers across Victoria braced as damaging winds in excess of 92 kilometres an hour hit, leading to almost 70 requests for assistance.
An SES spokesperson said the VICSES Hamilton Unit (16 RFAs) was the busiest local unit while Cobden and Warrnambool had 13 each, Port Campbell had five requests for assistance, Terang had six and Camperdown responded to four callouts.
Across Corangamite and Moyne, VICSES volunteers were called to almost 70 RFAs between midday and 5.30pm.
The wider south west saw volunteers called to 98 requests for assistance (RFAs), including 85 for trees down and nine for building damage.
Many of the requests for assistance were in response to downed trees on the road, particularly in the Dixie and Ecklin South areas.
Cobden SES deputy controller Sue Sartori said the number of calls were reduced thanks to the efforts of local farmers and council staff assisting with clearing trees.
“We were out for about four hours,” she said.
“We were on and off – there were calls in the morning and bits and pieces throughout the day.
“We had two crews out – there were eight people on the road, and we were lucky some of those blokes were shift workers who happened to have the day off.
“The farmers were fantastic – they saved us a hell of a lot of work just coming out and bringing their tractors out.
“Many thanks to the farmers, and even to people who were driving by who had a chainsaw in the back and pulled a branch off the road.”
Ms Sartori said the unit was pleased to see no callouts for roofs blown off of buildings.
“We had a branch down in town, and I believe Camperdown had some trees down as well,” she said.
“It was mostly trees on the road, meaning the buses and tankers were unable to get through.
“Our front roller door blew in, so we actually had a job at the local unit at around 4.30pm.
“The wind was so strong it blew it off its rails and the door was flapping.
“We had to leave a crew behind to secure the unit.”
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