Above: Peter Gussenhoven explains to neighbour Troy how his car was flipped by the roots of a tree which toppled in the storm.
By Kath Gannaway
His car was hoisted on to its side by the root ball of a massive gum which lifted out of the ground as wind gusts wreaked havoc around Healesville on Wednesday night, 9 November.
Mr Gussenhoven said he ventured outside after hearing “a hell of a bang” to see several trees had fallen along the narrow, hillside road.
“I thought the car looked funny… with the windows higher than they should be, then realised I was looking at it sideways,” he said.
Dorothy Road was the worst hit in Healesville according to SES Controller Karen Picone who said the Healesville unit attended 20 jobs between 8pm– when the first winds hit –and 1am the next morning.
Crews were called to another four jobs from 5am to 1pm the following day.
“Flooding and trees on roads were the main problems. The flooding on the Healesville Kooweerup Road was particularly bad and in River Street, but fortunately no damage to houses by wind or floods,” Ms Picone said.
Yarra Ranges Council’s after hours response team was also kept busy attending to 30 calls across the shire for flooding, blocked drains and fallen and dangerous trees.
Yarra Ranges Communications Manager Troy Edwards said some houses were affected by flooding and a number of council buildings were also affected.
The Healesville Amateur Racing Club was another victim of the torrential rain which rolled across the state, flooding the racetrack and forcing the club to abandon its second race meeting in as many weeks.
Club president John O’Neill said the decision was made on Thursday to call the meeting off with the back track still under water.
“It’s just nature… what can you do about it,” he said, but added that the volunteer committee was disappointed that the season had twice been scratched before it could get out of the gates.
Ms Picone urged property owners to prepare for storms and floods by securing anything that could cause damage if caught by the wind and to clean out their gutters.
“A lot of calls we get come down to gutters being full and flooding the inside of the house,” she said.
She also warned again, against drivers taking their chances on flooded roads.
“Driving through flood water is never a good idea,” she said. “You don’t know what’s in the water, and cars can stall or water can come up very quickly.”
Ms Picone said SES volunteers have been called on to rescue people who have become stranded in cars by ignoring the advice about flooded roads.
“It puts everyone in the car, and our volunteers at risk. It’s just not a good idea.”
