By Bonny Burrows
Clean your gutters, drains and stock up on the sandbags.
With Victoria expecting extreme storms and record amounts of rain this weekend, Pakenham SES unit controller Andrew Graham is urging residents to be prepared.
Mr Graham said emergency service workers from all agencies were on standby, ready to offer assistance when needed, however residents were ultimately responsible for protecting their properties.
“It’s about being prepared. Clean your gutters out, make sure the storm water drains are clear and stock up on the sandbags,” he said.
Proactive residents on social media have already reported a shortage of sandbags at local hardware stores, as the first signs of the impending extreme weather hit the region.
However, SES crews are stockpiling sandbags for use by the general public.
The unit controller confirmed there was a chance of flash flooding across the shire.
“Pakenham’s flooded in the past during major storm events, the last being in 2010,” he said.
“The Kooweerup swamp area cops it quite a bit during heavy rain too, so it could happen (this weekend).”
With the start of the rain beginning to bucket down as of Friday morning, Mr Graham urged residents to take care on the roads.
“Never, walk, ride or drive in floodwaters. It only takes 15cm of water for a small car to start floating,” Mr Graham said.
“Don’t do it, it’s just not worth the risk.”
The SES advises residents in a life-threatening situation to call triple-zero, or 132 500 for flood or storm emergency assistance during a weather event.
“We’ll attend as soon as we can get there,” Mr Graham said.
The Pakenham sandbag collection point at 780 Princes Highway will be open Friday from noon to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 8pm.
For more advice on what to do in severe weather events, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au
