Key Takeaways:
- A severe heatwave is expected to hit Victoria, with temperatures predicted to reach 49 degrees in some areas, breaking record temperatures and posing uncontrollable fire conditions.
- Melbourne is forecast to reach 45 degrees, with the state’s north-west expected to experience the worst heatwave conditions since Black Saturday in 2009.
- Ambulance Victoria has set up an emergency operations centre and is urging residents to only call Triple Zero for serious emergencies.
- Power outages are expected due to the increased use of air conditioners, and Powercor has bolstered its crews to prepare for widespread outages.
- Evacuation warnings have been issued for several areas, including the Otways, where the Carlisle River fire is burning out of control.
Introduction to the Heatwave
A severe heatwave is bearing down on Victoria, threatening to break record temperatures and create uncontrollable fire conditions. The heatwave is expected to affect much of the state, with parts of the north-west predicted to reach a record 49 degrees. Melbourne is forecast to reach 45 degrees, only marginally lower than the 46.4 degrees recorded on Black Saturday. The heatwave is expected to be the worst since 2009, with large swaths of the Mallee region, including the regional city of Mildura and the town of Ouyen, expected to be severely affected.
Emergency Response
Ambulance Victoria has set up an emergency operations centre to prepare for the heatwave, and is urging residents to only call Triple Zero for serious emergencies. The service is also encouraging residents to use alternative services, such as the state’s virtual emergency department and Nurse on Call. Powercor, the electricity distributor for Melbourne’s CBD and Victoria’s west, has bolstered its crews to prepare for widespread power outages due to the increased use of air conditioners. The company expects grids to be overloaded, leading to power outages in the coming days.
Fire Danger and Evacuation Warnings
The Country Fire Authority has declared a total fire ban for the whole of Victoria for Tuesday, with "extreme" fire danger predicted in the state’s west, south-west, and central districts. The authority is warning of "high" fire danger across the rest of Victoria. Evacuation warnings have been issued for several areas, including the Otways, where the Carlisle River fire is burning out of control. Residents in communities south of Colac and north of the Great Ocean Road have been warned to evacuate before sunset on Monday or risk their lives. The Great Otway National Park and state forests have been closed until further notice, and 53 parks and state forests have been closed statewide due to ongoing fires.
Weather Forecast
The heatwave is expected to be followed by a south-westerly change, which will bring cooler conditions to the south of the state. However, the change will offer limited relief in the north, and temperatures are expected to remain high through to Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting very little rainfall across the state until next weekend, which will exacerbate the fire danger. There is a slight chance of dry thunderstorms over the state’s west on Tuesday, which could further increase the fire risk.
Transport and Events
The heatwave is expected to disrupt transport and events across the state. Buses are replacing trains on some V/Line services due to the heat, and Metro services’ speed is reduced due to track temperature. The Australian Open will open its gates earlier on Tuesday due to the heat, and the wheelchair competition has been delayed for 24 hours. Play on outdoor courts may be suspended when conditions are at their worst.
Conclusion
The heatwave expected to hit Victoria is a severe and potentially deadly event. Residents are urged to take precautions to stay safe, including staying hydrated, staying indoors during the hottest part of the day, and following evacuation warnings. The emergency services are preparing for the worst, and residents are advised to follow their instructions and stay informed about the latest developments. The heatwave is a reminder of the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events and taking steps to mitigate their impact.
