Sarah Oliver
The Melton SES unit responded to more than 120 calls for help in the area following heavy winds last week.
In a Facebook post, the unit said that they were lucky to get assistance to help clean up the area.
“We were fortunate to have a taskforce of volunteers from South-west Victoria make the trek up to assist our crews. They were a great bunch to work with and it was much appreciated!” their Facebook page read.
As of midday yesterday, there were still 335 emergency calls for assistance that remained active in the state and just over 20,000 households and businesses remained without electricity.
The NSW State Emergency Service has sent 46 of its members to Victoria to assist with the aftermath of the wild storms that impacted the state last week.
Work began today for the volunteers as part of two strike teams which will continue until Thursday. There is also four support staff.
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said she was only too happy to help VIC SES in its hour of need.
“We are always happy to support our neighbours across the border, just as they have been willing to help us,” Commissioner York said.
VIC SES and other Victorian agencies were able to support NSW with volunteers and staff during their significant floods in March.
VIC SES chief executive Tim Wiebusch said he is proud of the work the volunteers have been putting in to assist residents.
“To have some additional capacity from NSW SES to complement our crews will be really valuable with potential further inclement weather on the way from Wednesday,” he said.
Melbourne will see sunny weather on Monday and Tuesday ahead of rain developing on Wednesday and the chance of isolated thunderstorms and elevated winds returning.
