**Storms leave thousands without power ahead of hottest day of heatwave**
Severe weather conditions in Victoria have caused widespread power outages, leaving thousands of residents without electricity ahead of what is projected to be the hottest day of a current heatwave. The storms, which reportedly swept through parts of the state on Friday evening, brought heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning, contributing to significant disruptions to power supply.
According to power provider AusNet, as of early Saturday morning, around 10,000 homes and businesses had been affected by outages. Crews were actively working overnight to restore electricity to impacted areas. The company noted that some power would likely remain offline for an extended period due to the extensive damage to infrastructure caused by fallen trees, powerlines, and debris. Powercor, another electricity distributor in the region, also reported outages linked to storm activity, though exact figures on affected households were not immediately available.
The storm system, which followed several days of extreme heat and high humidity, formed rapidly during the later hours of Friday, leading to a deluge of rain and hazardous wind speeds across regional and metropolitan areas of Victoria. Melbourne and surrounding suburbs experienced substantial rainfall within a short timeframe, causing local flooding in some low-lying areas, though the overall impact of flooding appeared to be relatively minor compared to the effects of the power outages.
Emergency services received a high volume of calls for assistance throughout the night. The State Emergency Service (SES) confirmed that hundreds of incidents were logged statewide, many related to trees downed by high winds and damage to property. SES crews prioritised urgent cases posing immediate risks to public safety, while less critical issues were added to a growing backlog. Local authorities advised residents in storm-affected regions to avoid non-essential travel, particularly in areas with reports of blocked roads or fallen powerlines.
Weather experts from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) attributed the storm activity to an unstable air mass combining with a trough system that had moved through the state. The meteorological conditions responsible for the storm were anticipated to shift by late Saturday, setting the stage for a return to sweltering temperatures across Victoria. BOM forecasts indicated that Melbourne and other parts of the state could reach temperatures nearing or exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, making Saturday potentially the hottest day of the week-long heatwave.
The timing of the power outages has raised public concerns about the potential consequences of residents being left without cooling options during extreme heat. Health authorities have long emphasised the risks posed by heatwaves, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. In response, the Department of Health issued reminders about heatwave safety, urging people to stay hydrated, seek shade, and check on neighbours and family members who might be at risk. Advice was also issued to avoid outdoor activities during the peak heat of the day.
Electricity providers have not yet detailed a concrete timeline for restoring power to all affected areas, citing the complexity of repairs and the challenges posed by ongoing weather conditions. However, updates issued by AusNet suggested a multi-stage approach, with priority given to areas where outages posed significant risks to life or safety. Powercor echoed these remarks, stating that technicians were working as quickly and safely as possible to restore supply amid hot and humid conditions.
While many areas had power restored overnight, frustration remains high among those still waiting for full service. Social media posts revealed numerous accounts of affected residents describing hardships as temperatures climbed to uncomfortable levels. Some posted pictures and videos showing the extent of storm damage in their neighbourhoods, with snapped powerlines, uprooted trees, and damaged rooftops widespread in the worst-hit zones.
Victoria Police have also urged caution around roads and public spaces affected by the severe weather. In particular, they highlighted the danger posed by fallen debris and low visibility due to lingering rain and waterlogged areas. Authorities encouraged people to report any hazardous conditions promptly and warned drivers not to attempt crossing flooded roads under any circumstances.
A spokesperson for the Energy and Water Ombudsman Victoria (EWOV) confirmed that various complaints had been lodged regarding the outages, though it was unclear at this stage whether the disruptions would trigger an investigation into network reliability during extreme weather events. Issues surrounding energy infrastructure resilience have been a frequent topic of debate, particularly as Australia deals with increasingly frequent and intense heat events attributed to climate variability.
At the same time, firefighting services in the region remain on high alert given the convergence of heat, dry winds, and vegetation conditions conducive to bushfires. Although the storm provided some relief by dampening dry undergrowth, officials warned that elevated temperatures forecast for the coming days could rapidly reverse these gains. The potential for grassfires, in particular, remains a concern in rural areas where grasses and shrubs have dried out over recent weeks.
Community cooling centres and shelters have been set up in select regions to provide relief for those without access to air conditioning or facing prolonged power outages. Local councils and charitable organisations have collaborated to keep these services running, offering hydration, shade, and access to fans or cooling equipment. Residents struggling to cope with the heat were encouraged to take advantage of these facilities rather than endure dangerous conditions at home without air circulation.
Looking ahead, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that conditions could remain volatile until a cool change arrives on Sunday, bringing a drop in temperatures and potentially putting an end to the extended heatwave. However, the exact timing and impact of this cool change remain unclear, with BOM indicating that further updates will be provided as weather systems develop. In the meantime, Victorians are advised to remain vigilant, particularly those in storm-affected areas.
This comes amidst a summer that has already seen various weather extremes across Australia, from flooding in northern regions to prolonged heatwaves in the south. The latest storm-related difficulties in Victoria underscore the ongoing challenges posed by weather patterns increasingly defined by rapid changes and heightened intensity.
Reference:
Brisbane Times: Storms leave thousands without power ahead of hottest day of heatwave
Bureau of Meteorology: Weather warnings and forecasts for Victoria
AusNet: Power restoration updates
Powercor: Service disruption information
State Emergency Service Victoria: Incident reports and safety advisories