Severe weather due in Porepunkah as manhunt continues
Cait Kelly
The search for gunman Dezi Freeman will enter its fourth day today, with the weather again expected to create a major hurdle for the manhunt.
Yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology released a severe weather warning that included parts of the alpine region. It also warned of snow for lower areas.
It could also bring the risk of blizzards about elevated alpine areas on Friday and early Saturday … As the strong winds combine with snow.
The bureau said there would be snow showers in areas above 1000m, before moving lower to 600m. Porepunkah is at 280m but the slopes of Mt Buffalo rise sharply from the town with the summit at 1723m so show does seem likely to affect the manhunt.
Yesterday, the search was affected by low cloud cover and near-constant rain. The bushland Freeman has disappeared into is thick and dangerous – filled with sheer cliffs, granite tors and, locals say, plenty of old mine shafts.
🌦️Showers increasing to rain later across #Victoria on Friday
⛈️Possible small hail and thunderstorms
❄️Snow showers initially above 1000 metres down to 600-700 later
🌡️Cold day with temperatures below average.
🌬️Fresh to strong and gusty winds https://t.co/UYVuRwgKlp pic.twitter.com/bjL3QoCLCz
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) August 28, 2025
The police presence in the area is large, with detectives raiding homes, a helicopter often searching around the hills, and police creating roadblocks.
We will bring you updates from the scene and situation as they come. Stay with us.
Updated at 16.51 EDT
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Guardian Australia confirmed a raid took place on a property in Chandler Court last night in Porepunkah.
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Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union secretary Sarah Beaman. Photograph: Savannah Meacham/AAP
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ShareSevere weather due in Porepunkah as manhunt continuesCait Kelly
The search for gunman Dezi Freeman will enter its fourth day today, with the weather again expected to create a major hurdle for the manhunt.
Yesterday, the Bureau of Meteorology released a severe weather warning that included parts of the alpine region. It also warned of snow for lower areas.
It could also bring the risk of blizzards about elevated alpine areas on Friday and early Saturday … As the strong winds combine with snow.
The bureau said there would be snow showers in areas above 1000m, before moving lower to 600m. Porepunkah is at 280m but the slopes of Mt Buffalo rise sharply from the town with the summit at 1723m so show does seem likely to affect the manhunt.
Yesterday, the search was affected by low cloud cover and near-constant rain. The bushland Freeman has disappeared into is thick and dangerous – filled with sheer cliffs, granite tors and, locals say, plenty of old mine shafts.
🌦️Showers increasing to rain later across #Victoria on Friday
⛈️Possible small hail and thunderstorms
❄️Snow showers initially above 1000 metres down to 600-700 later
🌡️Cold day with temperatures below average.
🌬️Fresh to strong and gusty winds https://t.co/UYVuRwgKlp pic.twitter.com/bjL3QoCLCz
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) August 28, 2025
The police presence in the area is large, with detectives raiding homes, a helicopter often searching around the hills, and police creating roadblocks.
We will bring you updates from the scene and situation as they come. Stay with us.
Updated at 16.51 EDT
Police raid house in Porepunkah
Police reportedly raided a house in Porepunkah last night.
The Herald Sun reported that local residents saw police arrive at a property in Francis Street and remove “five or six” people. There were no reports of any arrests.
Police issued an emergency alert to people in the town warning them to avoid the area.
Earlier, Freeman’s estranged extended family issued a statement to Seven News in which they said that he had “detached himself” from the family “decades ago”.
They also said that they were “devastated” about the death of the two police officers allegedly shot dead by Freeman.
Seven News said a family member who wanted to remain anonymous said:
The family are actively assisting police with their investigation and are providing details of our knowledge of the area and property,” the family member said.
We are devastated, heartbroken and sickened by the loss of two police officers.
Decades ago, Dezi detached himself from us in both name and ideology.
We stand with the brave members of the Victoria Police and the families of the murdered officers.
Updated at 17.05 EDT
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the best overnight stories and then Nick Visser will guide you through the day.
Poor weather is expected to hamper the search for suspected Porepunkah gunman Dezi Freeman as the manhunt enters its fourth day today. There was also a reported police raid on a property in Porepunkah last night. More coming.
Australia will send its first ever rover to the moon in a partnership with Nasa, which the federal government says will be the furthest any Australian space project has travelled. More to follow.