Victorians continue to mop up after damaging storms
Destructive storms lashed Victoria on Tuesday causing blackouts and widespread damage.
* 55,668 homes and businesses remain disconnected from the electricity network as of 4pm on Thursday
* 50,000 customers to be reconnected by 6pm on Saturday
* A further 3000 customers being assessed with properties likely reconnected early next week
* Main blackout-affected areas are Yarra Ranges, South Gippsland and the Bass Coast
* VicSES received more than 4400 calls for assistance since Tuesday
* About 750 call-out requests still active statewide on Thursday
* 35 schools and early learning centres closed due to impacts of the storms
* Pakenham Road remains closed between McBride Street and Gembrook Road in Pakenham Upper due to debris
HEALTH
* Yarram and District Health Service and Korumburra Hospital remain on power generators and are expected to have main power restored by 6pm on Saturday
* Leongatha Hospital, Wonthaggi Hospital and Yarram Hospital continue to have daily supplies of fuel provided and no reported issues with fuel management
* Five Ambulance Victoria branches remain without power
* Six ambulance centres remain on backup generators
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
* Relief point set up at Mirboo North and District Community Foundation to provide information, generators for electricity and satellite internet
* Personal hardship assistance payments of $640 per adult and $320 per child with a maximum of $2240 for a family available for eligible residents
* Case workers on hand to assist people who have lost homes with grants up to $49,300 available for those eligible to rebuild
* Energy provider compensation payments of $90 per customer for those disconnected from power for more than 12 hours
* No requests for emergency accommodation as of Thursday
COMMUNICATIONS
* 22 communities remain potentially isolated from all public telecommunications, including the ability to call triple-zero
* 106 suburbs remain without internet access with NBN connections in Belgrave, Berwick South, Emerald, Lakes Entrance, Leongatha and Mirboo North the most impacted
* 97 Telstra mobile towers impacted and 5382 landline customers unable to make or receive calls
* 88 Optus towers remain impacted with coverage blackouts particularly affecting South Gippsland area
* 10 Optus towers running on backup generators
* 46 TPG towers affected by power loss
