Melbourne weather: Damaging winds cause chaos throughout Victoria

• 10:08pm on 9 Oct 2016

That's it for tonight's live coverage of Victoria's wild weather conditions. 

You can read our wrap-up story here for a summary of the storm damage and what's in store for Monday as the clean up continues.

• 9:55pm on 9 Oct 2016

A large tree crashed through the roof of Menzies Creek Hall, where a preschool operates in the city's outer east.

Menzies Creek Primary School was also extensively damaged and will be closed on Monday.

• 8:49pm on 9 Oct 2016

We're learning more about the death of a woman due to Victoria's wind storm.

Jack Rhynsburger, 58, told Fairfax Media how he was sitting at home with his partner when a giant gum smashed into their house in Millgrove, east of Melbourne. 

"The house was totally demolished and I was pushed away from the tree by the force of the impact," he said.

It took a few minutes before he realised the tree had also struck his neighbour's house and the woman inside had been killed in the impact.

"We survived, but our neighbour did not," he said. "I don't know what to think about it."

The woman, believed to be in her 50s, had moved in about eight months ago, he said.

He did not know anything about her, he said, and didn't think the tree could be a problem before today's strong winds. 

"It didn't occur to me that it would be dangerous."

Mr Rhynsburger had rented the home for 11 years before today's storm damage.

• 8:11pm on 9 Oct 2016

The worst of the wind may have passed Melbourne, but there's still a big clean up job ahead.

More than 3200 people have now called the SES for help, an SES spokesman said. 

Crews will work through the night to deal with the backlog, he said.

And it looks like seven Metro train lines have suspended services right now:

• 7:39pm on 9 Oct 2016

Hearing reports that Northcote plaza lost power too. One woman says she had to leave her shopping behind.

The wind also appears to have bent a radio tower in half:

• 7:22pm on 9 Oct 2016

 We've just spoken with the weather bureau: the peak of today's wild wind has passed Melbourne now that the rain has arrived.

Senior forecaster Dean Stewart says most parts of the city would have experienced the worst of the wind as the expected cold front approaches.

"We are getting some showers ahead of that wind change moving across the Melbourne area," he said.

The cold front will bring up to 5mm of rain to the suburbs, he said.

• 7:17pm on 9 Oct 2016

The cold front has arrived, bringing rain across the city.

• 7:03pm on 9 Oct 2016

See some photos from our day of wild wind:

• 7:02pm on 9 Oct 2016

A windy wedding day on Brighton Beach.

• 6:35pm on 9 Oct 2016

An Ambulance Victoria spokesman has said it's not yet known how many people were injured in the severe weather on Sunday.

He noted at least eight people had been directly injured from weather-related incidents.

• A Tecoma woman aged in her 80s suffered pelvic injuries and was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
• A woman aged in her 90s suffered head injuries after a roof collapsed into the kitchen of her Badgers Creek home, on Sunday morning.
• A man aged in his 70s was injured after a tree fell on him on the 18th hole of Buninyong Golf Course at 1.05pm. He was taken to hospital in a stable condition.
• A tree fell on four people, injuring all of them, in the Don Valley, as they were clearing trees. Emergency crews attended at 2.20pm, all suffered facial lacerations, and other minor injuries and were taken to hospital.
• In Healesville, a woman aged in her 50s, was hit on the head by a tree. She was taken to hospital with lacerations to her head in a serious but stable condition. 

• 6:04pm on 9 Oct 2016

Pilots have been struggling to land planes at Melbourne Airport all afternoon, with reported wind gusts of up to 120km/h on Sunday.

Here's an example of a Qantas flight having to circle several times before it is able to land on the tarmac.

Qantas flight circling before landing. Photo: Joe Armao

Lucky this passenger came prepared!

#melbourneairport #melbweather #vicstorms Been 57 minutes on tarmac. Luckily I have mandm's. Another fifteen predicted. pic.twitter.com/fp0UJjLcCO

— Dr Ruth DeSouza (@DeSouzaRN) October 9, 2016

 

• 6:01pm on 9 Oct 2016

The wild weather has thrown trees and debris into the Elwood Canal.

Trees in Elwood canal. Photo: Benjamin Preiss

• 5:57pm on 9 Oct 2016

When will the wind ease?

A cold front is expected hit Melbourne around 6.30pm.

The Bureau says that front will bring 5-10mm of rain and winds will ease.

Bureau of Meteorology's current weather radar. Photo: BoM

• 5:46pm on 9 Oct 2016

Melbourne's docks are struggling with the winds.

• 5:44pm on 9 Oct 2016

Do you have any weather photos/stories? Make sure you email them to scoop@theage.com.au.

Here's a trampoline parading as an emoji.

• 5:41pm on 9 Oct 2016

VicRoads' map of closures tells a story.

VicRoads road closures. Photo: VicRoads

Hundreds of roads around the state are closed due to falling trees and debris.

In Melbourne, Pascoe Vale Road from Brewster Street to Raleigh Street in Essendon is still closed, after a roof blew onto a road.

Power lines were also knocked down and motorists are advised to avoid the area or seek an alternative route.

Here is a photo of the scene in Essendon:

The roof laid in the middle of the road in Essendon on Sunday, causing disturbance to traffic flow. Photo: Paul Jeffers

• 5:35pm on 9 Oct 2016

Our neighbours in country Victoria are still struggling with flooding. The strong wind is only adding to this.

There are final flood warnings for the Yarra River, Glenelg River, and Seven and Castle Creeks.

An evacuation warning remains current for the Murray River at Ulupna Island.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should: 
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees; 
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony; 
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.

Wild weather across Victoria. Photo: Vic Emergency

• 5:30pm on 9 Oct 2016

Emergency crews freed a man aged in his 70s from a debris-ridden golf course.

Nine News is reporting a tree fell on him at the 19th hole of Buninyong Golf Course.

• 5:28pm on 9 Oct 2016

Police and the State Emergency Services are warning drivers to take care on Melbourne's roads.

The Bureau have issued a "road weather alert for Melbourne and all suburbs".

Strong and squally winds will make driving conditions dangerous today. Winds are expected to ease tonight.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Reduce speed.
• Maintain a greater distance between you and the vehicle in front.
• Take extra care in observing signs.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

• 5:18pm on 9 Oct 2016

We have received reports that a mini-tornado hit Saint Andrews, 36km north-east of Melbourne, about 2.30pm today.

Valda Kitchell confirmed the reports and sent The Age a photo of the damage.

Send your weather photos, video and stories to scoop@theage.com.au.

Saint Andrews Photo: Supplied