Last night’s storms have resulted in a large number of fallen trees and powerlines across Greater Dandenong.
Power outages and fallen power lines
If you're currently one of the 159,000 homes in Victoria currently without power, you'll find some useful tips on our Emergency Prepare website.
If you need to charge your phone or mobile devices, you are welcome to visit our libraries. They are open until 9pm on weeknights and 5pm on weekends. You must bring your own charger.
If you are a resident without power who is power dependent and requires urgent medical assistance, please call Triple Zero (000).
Stay clear of fallen powerlines and anything they may be touching, such as vehicles, metal fences or pools of water. Call your electricity distributor and the police to report their location.
Waste collection
Extra waste collection vehicles have been allocated to assist with waste collection in the extreme wind conditions.
Please bring in your bins in as soon as possible after collection to avoid them being blown over or down the street. We are grateful to all of the residents assisting our waste collection team in ensuring bins are upright and brought in once emptied.
Reporting an emergency
There is currently a significant number of calls to the Victoria State Emergency Service line on 132 500. If you need emergency assistance for storm damage or flooding, please be patient and stay on the line.
If there is a threat to life, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Road closures
For road closure information, visit the VicTraffic website.
Further updates
Keep up to date with the situation by following Vic Emergency and the State Emergency Service on social media or by visiting the Vic Emergency website.
Information on Power Outages, Food Safety and Other Supports
Fallen Trees
We are working to clear the trees as soon as possible. We are prioritising requests based on safety and accessibility. We appreciate your patience and understanding, as we work through the backlog of requests over the coming days/weeks.
Power Outages
We are also aware that there are some power significant power outages across the City of Greater Dandenong. If you are a resident without power who is power dependent and requires urgent medical assistance, please telephone Triple Zero (000).
Residents who experienced power outages may be able to claim compensation for power outages via their electricity provider. Submit a claim - United Energy.
To keep up to date on power outages visit Outage Map - United Energy.
For further advise about power outages visit the Emergency Prepare Website.
Power Outages and Food Safety
The most important thing is to try to keep cold and frozen food cold. If food is still cold to touch (less than 5 °C), it is safe to use.
Before and after a power failure:
- Once cold or frozen food is no longer cold to touch, it can be kept and eaten for up to four hours and then it must be thrown away.
- If it is raw meat, it should be cooked and eaten.
- Eat hot food within four hours of it being heated or throw it away.
- If power is restored when frozen food is still frozen solid the food is safe.
During a power failure, the following actions will keep frozen and cold food frozen or chilled for longer:
- Move food from the fridge to the freezer.
- If available, put bagged ice under food packages and trays stored in freezers and fridges if power failure lasts more than 1 hour.
- Place an insulating blanket over cold or frozen food, where possible.
- Only open fridge and freezer doors when absolutely necessary, this will keep the food and air temperature colder for longer.
More information about Food Safety is on the Department of Health website or you can call the Food Safety Hotline on 1300 364 352.
Recovering from an emergency
If your home has been damaged by flooding or winds or you were otherwise impacted by the storms and power outages, visit the Emergency Prepare Website for useful tips to help you and your neighbours recover.