Salvos continue to help in storm-ravaged areas

The impact of the wild weather that battered Victoria on 9 June continues to be felt by affected communities. The Salvation Army Emergency Services(SAES) is continuing its presence in these regions with its catering operations located at Lillydale Lake in Melbourne’s outer east assisting emergency services workers and impacted residents.

Thousands of homes in the Yarra Ranges are still without power with many preparing for a long wait as emergency workers, tree crews and lineworkers labour on to rebuild the network in challenging conditions. Contaminated drinking water is also an issue in parts of Melbourne’s outer east with residents forced to fill containers from emergency water tankers.

With two huge SAES trucks set up in the Lillydale Lake carpark, SAES personnel, volunteers and workers from the Shire of Yarra Ranges have mobilised to support the communities in any way they can. Assistant State Co-ordinator Emergency Services Adam Clark says they had provided 500 meals a sitting on the first day and expected this to increase in the coming days.

Adhering to COVID-safe practices, the SAES is preparing hot meals at the council depot, the meals are then placed in insulated carriers – along with bottled water – and delivered by council drivers to workers in the affected areas.

“As well as meals, we’re providing financial assistance through council referrals, material aid and care packs,” says Adam.“There’s a big need here in the Yarra Ranges.”

Due to the terrain, the sheer scale of the damage and the complex nature of the repairs needed, there is no quick solution and residents have been incredibly patient and understanding under the circumstances. To provide further assistance, an SAES truck from Ballarat has also been deployed to Lillydale Lake, with Salvos around Melbourne and Ballarat assisting the relief effort.

The Salvation Army is also continuing to provide refreshments and financial support through council referrals in Rowville. While in Traralgon, where much of the area is flooded, financial assistance and material aid is being provided by Salvos through council referrals.

For further updates on how The Salvation Army is helping impacted communities, please check the website regularly.