Brace for impact …

Casey Council has urged residents to get ready for wild weather this weekend.
Emergency services are warning a weekend of heavy rain and possible flash flooding could have a significant impact on the Casey community.
With the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting up to 150mm of rain over South-East Melbourne, residents are being urged to heed the warnings and get prepared.
Council has also postponed tonight’s scheduled Christmas Tree lighting event due to the weather.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Geoff Ablett said residents needed to prepare for a weekend of significant rain and stay informed.
“It’s important our community heeds the warnings from emergency services, plan for all eventualities and stay informed through emergency broadcasts and social media,” Cr Ablett said.
“Tune in to ABC radio, “like” the SES and Emergency Vic Facebook pages for regular updates and monitor their websites www.ses.vic.gov.au and www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
“Never drive through floodwater and stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
Residents are urged to only call triple-zero in a life-threatening emergency and SES on 132 500 if they’re in immediate danger of flooding or had experienced storm damage, such as fallen trees blocking access to homes.
Damage to council infrastructure or fallen trees on council land can be reported to council’s website www.casy.vic.gov.au and 9705 5200.
“Council civil maintenance crews will be working over the weekend but the predicted significance of the event means we will need to prioritise requests and are unlikely to respond to everyone in the short term,” Cr Ablett said.
Cr Ablett added that 15 council crews had been inspecting and clearing known problem areas in the drainage system across Casey, and that the forecast weather event would likely cause significant flooding across the region.
“Our maintenance crews have been working hard clearing drains and stormwater pits over the past few days in preparation for this severe weather event.
“But if, as predicted, an entire summer’s rain falls over the next three days, it’s unlikely anything can prevent flash flooding from occurring in parts of Casey.”
He said whatever happened, he was confident the community would rally and support each other through any hardship.
“Let’s hope we emerge unscathed from this, but I know the Casey community is at its best when we come together in love and support.”