By Callum Ludwig
The storm that hit the Yarra Ranges on Friday 8 December left its mark on the Upper Yarra.
The SES Upper Yarra Unit was called to six incidents where fallen trees had caused damage to homes.
Upper Yarra SES Deputy Controller Hannah Brunton said most of their jobs were for building damage, which is out of the norm for them.
“Normally it’s a lot of trees down that are just blocking traffic and causing traffic hazards but we had quite a few that hit buildings, though none of them were super extensive, luckily,” she said.
“We did have one person who we had to call the council to organise for a welfare check-in and accommodation for.”
Nobody was injured during the storm event.
Ms Brunton said most of the calls coming through were from neighbouring residents.
“It was fortunate that there was nobody home, I think only one of them had the person home at the time,” she said.
“Most of the damage was only peripheral, to things like pergolas and porches so there was no extensive damage and no risk to life, which was very fortunate.”
In the 24 hours to 8am on 9 December, SES received 763 requests for assistance across the state.
Ms Brunton said it was mostly whole trees falling that caused the damage, rather than just branches.
“Everything’s just so wet at the minute, so with the slightest bit of wind it all just falls over,” she said.
“Quite often when we get called out, it’s not someone’s tree falling on their own house, it’s typically a tree from one yard falling onto their neighbour’s home,”
“So if everybody looks after their own backyard and keeps on top of home maintenance, you’re less likely to get those big branches or big limbs coming down and causing damage to either your home or somebody else’s.”
Lilydale’s SES unit also assisted with calls in the Upper Yarra.
