By Oliver Lees
The Macedon Ranges was battered with extreme winds and rains as emergency services worked around the clock to clear roads and restore power.
Chris Stokes from Macedon Ranges Towing was out battling the elements helping clear trees from roads.
Mr Stokes said on Friday morning that he had personally cleared 20 trees and was still receiving calls.
“In all my years in the industry, it’s the first time I’ve seen extreme rain and wind at the same time,” Mr Stokes said.
“At one stage I was driving down Romsey Road to take care of a tree and on my way back there was another one that had fallen behind me.
“I took care of that one and there was another behind it, all of them had fallen in a 10 minute period.
“I had to cut myself out and make my way home, it gets to a point where it’s just that dangerous.”
Thousands of homes in areas including Macedon, Kyneton and Lancefield were without power for more than 24 hours.
A spokesperson for SES Gisborne said they received more than 100 calls for assistance in a 24-hour period from Wednesday to Thursday.
“Weather conditions got so dangerous that VICSES put out a stop-work order until the winds eased,” the spokesperson said.
“Most calls have been for trees down, building damage, flooding and loose debris.
“The local council and our partner agencies such as the CFA, VicRoads, and Powercor have been assisting us with clearing trees.”
