SES reveals ‘really huge’ extent of damage caused by wild storms

There’s been “really huge” demand for help from the State Emergency Service (SES) as damaging winds lashed southern Victoria.

Trees have been felled, roofs have been blown off and trucks have been toppled.

The SES received 1270 calls in the 24 hours to 8am.

SES Victoria spokesperson, Jamie Devenish, says 900 of those call outs were for fallen trees, and 175 were for building damage.

The state’s north-west was the worst hit last night, with 87 calls for help made to the Ballarat SES unit, and 76 calls for help to the Bendigo unit.

“We’ve really seen it push down into the greater Melbourne area this morning,” Mr Devenish told Ross and Russel.

“Particularly those eastern suburbs … our Whitehorse unit, Emerald, Knox, but even out to Northcote.”

Mr Devenish said there are delays getting SES crews to some jobs, due to the huge number of requests.

“If you do need emergency assistance from the SES this morning, there is really huge demand into the call centre,” he said.

“If there’s a life threatening emergency please call Triple-0. If you need SES emergency assistance please be patient.”

PHOTOS: Savage winds fell trees, rip off roofs and topple trucks