Powerful winds have wreaked havoc across South Australia, felling trees, damaging homes, and causing widespread power outages. Emergency services are on high alert as another round of severe winds is expected to follow. Residents are advised to limit travel, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of gusts reaching up to 102 km/h at Cape Willoughby and the arrival of a second cold front on Wednesday.
Emergency Response and Community Efforts
Tuesday morning saw emergency services respond to an incident on Warren Road near Williamstown, where a large gum tree collapsed onto a moving ute. The driver, who was seriously injured, was rescued with the help of local volunteers using a grader and chainsaws. The driver was transported to the hospital, while the dog in the vehicle was unharmed and is being cared for. Police have expressed gratitude to community members for their quick assistance.
The State Emergency Service (SES) dealt with 55 wind-related incidents by 8:30 am, primarily involving fallen trees and damaged structures across Adelaide, the Yorke, and Fleurieu peninsulas. Meanwhile, SA Power Networks reported 21 outages affecting over 5,000 customers early Tuesday. By the afternoon, the outages had been reduced to six, affecting under 1,000 properties. The organization advised residents to avoid any downed power lines and treat them as live.
Weather Warnings and Forecast
As the cold front moved east into Victoria and New South Wales, the threat of damaging winds remains, particularly along the West Coast. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts gusts of up to 90 km/h in elevated areas, with conditions expected to ease by late Wednesday. Rainfall is also anticipated to increase, with up to 25mm forecast for Adelaide.
Victoria experienced its own severe weather, with warnings issued for the Grampians, Central Ranges, and parts of the Mornington Peninsula. Areas like Ballarat and ski fields faced winds up to 100 km/h and blizzard conditions. The SES has issued a public alert, urging residents to secure loose items, protect vehicles, and stay indoors during severe weather.
Weather conditions across Australia vary, with Melbourne and Canberra expecting cool temperatures around 12 degrees, coupled with showers and winds. Sydney’s temperatures will range from 17 to 20 degrees, with partly cloudy skies. Perth will see mild temperatures between 17 and 20 degrees, with showers clearing to sunshine. Brisbane is predicted to stay sunny with a high of 25 degrees, while Darwin remains hot and sunny, with highs near 30 degrees. Hobart and Adelaide will experience cooler conditions, with highs of 11 degrees and occasional showers.
