Residents near Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road have been told to evacuate as firefighters work to douse out-of-control blazes threatening small communities.
Authorities issued a “leave now” warning this morning for those in Chapple Vale, Crowes, Gellibrand Lower, Johanna, Johanna Heights, Lavers Hill, Stalker, Wangerrip, Wattle Hill, Yuulong and Wattle Hill to the Great Ocean Walk.
The bushfire is moving along Lavers Hill-Cobden Road in Chapple Vale in a southerly to south-westerly direction towards the Great Ocean Road, according to Victoria Emergency.
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“A wind change is expected in the next few hours that may cause the fire to move in an easterly direction,” the alert reads.
“Don’t wait, leaving now is the safest option – conditions may change and get worse very quickly.”
As the situation is constantly changing, visit www.emergency.vic.gov.aufor the latest advice and warnings.
For communities that have already evacuated in Chetwynd, Connewirricoo, Kadnook, it is still unsafe to return.
Authorities said firefighters are yet to bring bushfires burning at Casterton-Edenhope Rd, Kadnook in the blue gum plantation under control.
The fire has since spread across the Glenelg River and continues to burn in the area east of the Chetwynd River north of Chetwynd.
https://x.com/vicemergency/status/1857840927798399405
Road closures have been put into place in the area and an evacuation centre has been opened at Lavers Hill.
Those who earlier fled should not return until authorities issue a Safe to Return notice.
Residents who have not already left are advised to stay where they are and avoid dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.
They should also check if they have enough food, drinking water and medications.
Those who do not, should phone triple-zero.
An emergency relief centre is open in Edenhope at the community centre on Elizabeth Street and in Casterton at the Town Hall on Henty Street.
https://x.com/vicemergency/status/1857847674365468958
It comes as a severe weather warning is issued for other parts of the state.
People in North East and parts of Central, East Gippsland, Northern Country, North Central and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts are advised that heavy rainfall and damaging winds are expected this morning.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned of strong winds between 50km/h to 60 km/h and damaging wind gusts around 90 km/h in the Dandenong Ranges.
In the northeast and central ranges, winds between 55km/h and 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 110km/h have also been recorded.
“A strong cold front moving across central Victoria will move into the northeast of the state late Sunday morning and combine with elevated moisture feeding into the area from the north,” the Bureau said.
“Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast with areas of rain and thunderstorms for the northeast of Victoria.”
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