Quiet at the port: extreme heat put a dampener on tourist activity in Echuca-Moama this week.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
The streets were quieter than usual in Echuca-Moama on Thursday, January 8, amid Victoria’s worst heatwave since 2019.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Businesses closed early and events were postponed as the mercury was tipped to hit 44ºC, with the temperature already in the mid-30s by 10am.
Some brave visitors made their way to the Port of Echuca before peak temperatures arrived, including Simone Macleod and her family, who arrived from Melbourne two days earlier.
Visiting with her partner and two children, Ms Macleod said the heat was impacting their plans.
Simone and Andrew Macleod at the Port of Echuca.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“It’s really hot, so we’re basically just swimming and trying to get out when we can,” she said.
“It’s pretty along here. I’d like to stay longer, but (the kids) just want to be at the pool.”
Visitor Keegan Hand, who arrived the day before with four friends, said the group was still trying to make the most of their three-day trip.
Keegan Hand, John Chan, William Nguyen, Jason Lee and James Huynh.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“It's been pretty hot and unbearable, but we're getting through it,” he said.
“We are going swimming today, which will help us cool down and stay out of the heat.”
A catastrophic fire danger rating was announced for the Northern Country for Friday, January 9, on Wednesday, prompting a warning from the State Control Centre.
Residents were urged to prepare for worsening conditions, with a catastrophic rating being the most dangerous level for a fire.
Emergency Management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said fires could potentially be unpredictable and uncontrollable.
“We need the community to play their role alongside our emergency services to protect lives and property,” he said.
“If you are in an area of forecast catastrophic fire danger, leave early to an area with a lower fire risk.”
Expert communication will be provided to communities as developments occur, and residents are reminded to never rely on one channel for emergency information.
Due to catastrophic fire danger ratings forecast on Friday, all V/Line train and coach services scheduled to operate will be cancelled.
No V/Line train, scheduled coach or replacement coach services will operate in a fire district while a catastrophic fire danger rating is in place for that district.
All train services scheduled for the Albury, Ararat, Bendigo, Echuca, Maryborough, Seymour, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool train lines will be cancelled, with no coach replacement services.
Transport Victoria provides real-time traffic conditions and the latest public transport information at transport.vic.gov.au
If you need medical care and health advice but don’t need an emergency response, consider a free online video call with the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, Nurse-On-Call (1300 60 60 24), which offers free medical advice, or contact your local GP or pharmacy.
42°C