Destructive weather sweeps through Shepparton

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Trees are completely uprooted across the road and median strip northbound of the Goulburn Valley Highway. Photo by Geoff Adams

Damaging winds, hail and rainfall have swept through the Shepparton area in the early hours of Sunday, November 17 resulting in fallen trees and power lines and building damage across the area.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, between 3.15am and 6.15am there were winds ranging from 29 to 31km/h with gusts of up to 54 to 62km/h across Shepparton.

Shepparton Search and Rescue received its first call about 5.45am Sunday and has been on the ground since.

The Vic Emergency app is reporting the majority of incidents are across Shepparton with a few isolated cases at Mooroopna and one at Stanhope.

Shepparton Search and Rescue president Nacole Standfield confirmed the majority of damage crews had been called out to were in North Shepparton.

“The majority of damage are trees down over roads, power lines, and building damage,” Ms Standfield said.

A whole tree has been uprooted outside someone's home on Corio St, Shepparton. Photo by Megan Fisher

“Building damage hasn’t been assessed yet, we prioritise trees over roads and then we get to the rest of them as we get going.

“The biggest thing at the moment is people need to be patient and we’ll get to them as soon as we can.”

Shepparton and Mooroopna CFA crews, Tatura SES and SES crews from Yarrawonga and Euroa are also assisting with the clean-up.

As of this morning, no injuries had been reported, only damage.

Water and broken tree branches cover the sides of Corio St, Shepparton. Photo by Megan Fisher

Powercor has also reported about 2500 customers were without power in the Shepparton area after the storm passed through the area just after 5.30am Sunday.

However, since then, Powercor has reported it has been able to restore thousands of customers and continue to work to do so and will have more news as the day progresses.

An uprooted tree on the median strip on the Goulburn Valley Highway in North Shepparton. Photo by Geoff Adams

The Bureau of Meteorology updated its severe weather warning at 10.35am today for damaging, destructive winds and heavy rainfall for Northern Country as well as North East and parts of Central, East Gippsland, North Central and West and South Gippsland forecast districts.

According to the bureau, a strong cold front is moving across Central Victoria into the northeast of the state away from Shepparton.

However, rainfall is expected to continue in the Shepparton area for the remainder of the day, easing during the mid afternoon.

Areas of Shepparton have been closed off today as emergency services work to remove debris and trees from roads.

The Goulburn Valley Hwy heading northbound remains partially closed with uprooted tress covering the road as of 11.20am today.

Emergency services are working to remove the debris and traffic is still able to get through.

Emergency services work to get debris off the Goulburn Valley Highway. Photo by Geoff Adams

There are currently a number of wires down and Powercor advises the community that if anyone comes across a fallen power line to treat it as live, stay clear of it and report it to Powercor on 132 412.

To report fallen trees or building damage, phone 132 500.