BOM issues ‘severe’ weather warning as damaging winds are predicted to batter states

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued desperate warnings for dangerous winds across the country’s southeast.

A large cold front that developed across Tasmania on Friday resulted in a ‘severe weather warning’ for the entire state, while parts of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia have also been warned to prepare for ‘damaging winds’.

Winds reached a blistering 154km/h on Maatsuyker Island, off Tasmania’s South Coast, about 10.41am, with the fastest winds on the mainland were recorded at Scotts Peak about 7.41am.

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The wild weather is believed to have resulted in the deaths of two people on a private property in the state’s northwest after a tree collapsed on them.

Acting Commander Brenda Orr said emergency services raced to the scene where both were pronounced dead, according to the ABC.

Police said their “thoughts are with the family and loved ones at this difficult time”.

TasNetworks has also reported the electrical grid had become severely hampered by winds taking down powerlines, with about 13,000 homes and businesses effected.

“Our crews are prioritising safety by attending to wires down and hazardous situations first,” a statement on the TasNetworks website reads.

“Given the extent of the damage and the continuing severe weather, customers could be without power for the next 72 hours.

“Please make sure to prepare in case a power outage happens in your area.”

BOM have also warned residents in the Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Traralgon, Hamilton, Portland, Wonthaggi, Bacchus Marsh, Sale, Daylesford, Frankston and Warragul regions of Victoria to be prepared for damaging winds.

The warning also extends to residents of the South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and South West Slopes Forecast Districts regions of NSW and the ACT, and South Australia’s Lower South East district.

The State Emergency Service has urged those effected to more vehicles away from trees, secure loose items outdoors, supervise children, manage pets and livestock and be prepared in case of power outages.

BOM predicts the weather to subside by Saturday morning.

While the southeasterly states are being battered by strong winds, multi-day heat waves are expected to have northern regions of the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Severe thunderstorms are also expected to smash Queensland’s Coalfields, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts on Friday afternoon.