By Marcus Uhe
The Narre Warren SES unit responded to 34 calls for help across Tuesday 2 August and Wednesday 3 August as wild weather swept across the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather update on Tuesday, warning of widespread damaging winds across the South East.
Damaging and destructive winds, reaching 128 km/h in the alpine region, occurred across much of Victoria, starting in the Grampians at midnight and moving through Melbourne after 1am on Wednesday 3 August.
Mr Burns said the Casey region was relatively unscathed from the weather events.
“The unit started to become active around 10.15 on Tuesday night was and still active at 7pm last night,” he said.
“There were no serious trees down on buildings and no structural collapses.
“A few large trees went down in Harkaway, all in excess of 10 metres in length. One was completely keeled over at the root, which was quite dramatic.
“Thankfully we didn’t have too much grief.”
Mr Burns praised the cooperation of residents and those caught in tough situations in assisting the unit to complete their required tasks.
“I think in the past two years there’s been the additional stress from Covid-19 and then when worst thing happens, like a tree falling on your house, it can be too much to deal with.
“I think people are coming out of (Covid-19) and had to band together during adversity, and they seem to be a more patient and accepting with our help.”
State-wide, SES volunteers received nearly 600 calls for assistance, primarily for fallen trees (441) and building damage (60).
Emerald, Pakenham and Upper Yarra units received the most requests for assistance across the state.
Narre Warren currently has 63 volunteers and services the entire City of Casey.
A second unit is coming to Casey, with a new facility in Cranbourne expected to be completed by late 2023.
The Narre Warren unit was recognised with the 2022 Casey Community Group of the Year Award as part of Casey’s Australia Day Awards, and will be entrusted with training volunteers at the new unit in Cranbourne.
To learn more about volunteering with the SES head to ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer or call 1300 VICSES (1300 842 737)
