Storms hit homes, shops

By Dion Teasdale
SEVERE thunderstorms hit the Yarra Valley last week causing thousands of dollars damage to businesses and residences.
Healesville Indoor Swimming Pool is expected to be closed until Thursday after the pool filled with mud during a storm that hit the town about 8pm on Sunday, 30 January.
Pool manager Ross Ilsley said dirt from the sports oval adjoining the swim centre was washed into the pool, making it unsuitable for use.
“We’ve had to postpone swimming lessons and aqua-aerobic classes until the pool is safe for swimming again,” he said.
“You can’t see the bottom of the pool, so we’ll have to pump out the dirt, vacuum the pool and chemically treat the water to make it safe.”
Mr Ilsley said it was freakish to have so much rain in such a short period of time and estimated the loss of income and water treatments could cost the swim centre thousands of dollars.
Healesville SES acting controller Karen Picone said SES crews had been kept very busy with damage from thunderstorms between Australia Day and January 30.
“We’ve responded to reports of fallen trees, flooded roads, roof damage and building damage,” she said.
“The worst storm was on Australia Day when we responded to reports of fallen trees from Coldstream all the way up to Castella.”
Ms Picone said the SES attended to 21 fallen trees on Hill Road, Healesville during the evening of Thursday, 26 January.
A spokesman from the Bureau of Meteorology said the recent spate of thunderstorms, and the mix of high temperatures and humidity, were not unusual for this time of year.
“There have been some very heavy localised rainfalls and micro burst activities over the past three or four days,” he said.
“On February 2 and 3 last year there were very similar conditions with a mix of downburst and high moisture.”
The spokesman said the Bureau has received reports of flood damage and strong winds in the Yarra Valley.
“However, reports of the area coming under attack from mini tornadoes are exaggerated,” he said.