Freak storm causes damage across Benalla

By Max Stainkamph and Simon Ruppert

Jan 15, 2023

Damage: The Uniting Church had its roof ripped off during the storm on the evening of Saturday, January 14. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Roofs were torn off houses and trees were torn from the ground in a freak storm which hit Benalla on Saturday, January 14.

Benalla SES reponded to 77 requests for assistance across the city on Saturday night and Sunday morning following a freak storm hitting Benalla about 10pm.

The Uniting Church in Benalla had its roof torn off by gusts of wind, while trees were down in gardens and residential streets across the city.

Devastation: A unit on the corner of Nunn and Benalla Sts was crushed by a falling tree. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Last night's storm has caused damage across Benalla. The hall at the Uniting Church has lost its roof & trees are down across the rural city. Some roads in town are closed as teams clear debris. pic.twitter.com/V5Mnb7XShx
— Benalla Ensign (@BenallaEnsign) January 14, 2023

Benalla recorded 38mm of rain in the 24 hours to 9am on Sunday, most of which fell during the storm.

The Benalla SES responded to 62 requests for assistance due to trees falling and 11 reports of building damage.

No go: The Fawckner St car park was closed on the morning of Sunday, January 15. Photo by Simon Ruppert

Impact: A large tree fell, but avoided damaging houses on the corner of Arundel St North and Goodwin St. Photo by Simon Ruppert

There were four call-outs for flooding.

The SES responded to 198 call-outs statewide from midday on Saturday to 9am on Sunday, most as a result on Saturday’s storm.

Just been for a bike ride..
Storm damage is incredible..
But even more incredible is that only a couple of kms away, it’s apparent, there was no storm at all
— Matt Thomas (@MattThomas1405) January 14, 2023