SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING - MELBOURNE AREA
for DAMAGING WIND
For people in the South East, Eastern, Northern, Outer East, Western Port and parts of the Inner, Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillip Local Warning Areas.
Issued at 11:22 am Monday, 12 August 2013.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 11:15 am, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Craigieburn, Dandenong, Frankston, Glen Waverley and Preston. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to southeast. They are forecast to affect Greensborough, Pakenham and Ringwood by 11:45 am and Healesville, Lang Lang and Whittlesea by 12:15 pm.
Damaging winds are likely.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* secure any loose objects in the vicinity of your home.
* stay indoors if possible.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* if you are outside, avoid sheltering under trees
* listen to the radio for storm updates
* switch off your computer and electrical appliances
The next warning is due to be issued by 12:25 pm.
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the West and South Gippsland and parts of the Central, East Gippsland, North Central and North East districts.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at
http://www.bom.gov.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or call 1300 659 217. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.