VIOLENT STORMS and self-sufficiency

THE POWER went off at 7:45pm on Wednesday 9 June 2021. There’d been a strong wind warning on the TV weather forecast, and a rather ominous low pressure formation to our North.

What happened over the next five days until the power was finally restored was absolutely unprecedented, and quite catastrophic here in Central Victoria. But in the Dandenongs, east of Melbourne, the destruction was almost indescribable. In 44 years of living here, we’ve never had destruction like it. I can start to realise how it must be in a cyclone, but at least buildings are designed for such events in many cases.

All through the dark night, our house vibrated every time a gust