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Cars Swept to Sea as Storm Lashes Australia's Coast
15 Jan
Summary
- Severe storm caused flash flooding and closed the Great Ocean Road.
- Cars were swept into the ocean, and thousands lost power.
- Emergency warnings urged residents to seek shelter from dangerous conditions.
A severe storm recently battered Victoria, Australia, triggering dangerous flash flooding and cutting power to thousands of homes. The iconic Great Ocean Road, a major tourist attraction, was forced to close in both directions due to the hazardous conditions. Emergency services issued warnings for towns along the coast, advising residents to move indoors and away from the rising floodwaters.
The ferocity of the storm led to dramatic scenes, with reports of vehicles being swept into the ocean. Over 6,500 homes experienced power outages as rescue crews worked to assist individuals trapped in inundated caravan parks and vehicles. The nearby Mount Cowley area recorded a significant 166 millimetres of rain since the morning.
This severe weather event follows closely on the heels of recent disruptions to the Great Ocean Road, which had been closed days earlier due to bushfires ignited by an intense summer heatwave. The region is now grappling with the aftermath of both extreme weather phenomena.
