SES Foster Unit

08/10/2026

Given recent activity, why not join the Great ShakeOut next Thursday 15th October.

DROP, COVER and HOLD your own earthquake safety drill.

Registration and more information on the VICSES website linked in the post below 👇

Things have been shaking up in Gippsland! Now we have your attention, did you know the world’s largest earthquake drill, the Great ShakeOut is approaching quickly on 15 October?

This is a global event held each year to raise awareness around earthquake safety.

Register your workplace, school or community group and get ready to DROP, COVER and HOLD ON to practice staying safe in an earthquake.

Register your earthquake drill and find more information here: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/great-shakeout-earthquake-drill

03/10/2026

While most of us woke to a shake in the early hours, SES Foster Unit volunteers were already out in the wet and windy weather, clearing fallen trees from roads. 🌳

Our crews have continued responding to fallen trees throughout the day. 🪵

With a severe weather warning still current and continuing tonight, please take care when driving. Slow down and watch for fallen trees and debris.

02/10/2026

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was recorded by Geoscience Australia at approximately 2:01 am this morning, with an epicentre near Leongatha.

At the time of posting, Geoscience Australia had received 2,626 felt reports and rising. If you require SES help please ring 132 500.

With the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill approaching on 15 October, tonight’s earthquake is a timely reminder to know what to do when an earthquake occurs:

DROP to the ground.
COVER under a sturdy piece of furniture and protect your head and neck.
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

By comparison, the September 2021 earthquake in Victoria was 5.9 magnitude.

02/10/2026

Heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding may develop from Saturday morning.

Stay informed and if you are travelling, always drive to conditions and never enter floodwater.

📱 Warnings and advice: VicEmergency app, website www.emergency.vic.gov.au or hotline (1800 226 226)
⛈️ Weather forecasts and warnings: BOM www.bom.gov.au
🟠 Flood and storm emergency assistance: VICSES 132 500
☎️ Life-threatening emergencies: Triple Zero (000)

Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall.

Stay informed: bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/

Issued at: 11:00 am on Friday, 2 October 2026

Where:
For people in West and South Gippsland and parts of South West, Central and East Gippsland Forecast Districts.

Locations which may be affected include Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Sale, Warragul, Mt Baw Baw and Morwell.

When:
From early Saturday morning.

Situation:
A low pressure system is expected to linger over eastern parts of the state during Saturday, resulting in persistent southeasterly winds and moderate to heavy falls through parts of Gippsland, and the Otways.

Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is forecast to develop from early Saturday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 20 and 35 mm are likely, with isolated totals up to 50 mm possible.

24-hour rainfall totals: For the Otways between 50 and 80 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 150 mm possible about elevated parts. For Gippsland between 40 and 60 mm are likely, with isolated falls up to 110 mm possible about elevated parts.

Conditions are expected to ease during Sunday morning as the low pressure system moves into the Tasman Sea.

What you should do:

The Victoria State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware - heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it's windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines - always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

Check bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Friday.

01/10/2026

A flood watch has now been issued for the South Gippsland Rivers with heavy rains and thunderstorms predicted into Saturday.

🌧 Heavy rainfall is predicted over the next few days and flood watches have been issued for several Gippsland catchments.

Tips to be prepared:
📄 Check your local flood guide
https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/flood-guides
📱 Stay informed – monitor weather warnings and forecasts at the Bureau of Meteorology website
https://www.bom.gov.au/
⚠ Receive warnings through the VicEmergency app, website and hotline (1800 226 226) or through your local emergency radio broadcaster, ABC Gippsland
https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/
🛻 Never drive, ride, or walk through floodwater

Flood & storm assistance call 132 500
For life-threatening emergencies call 000

Baw Baw Shire Council Latrobe City Council Wellington Shire Council East Gippsland Shire Council South Gippsland Shire CouncilBass Coast Shire Council

18/09/2026

Our volunteers touch the lives of many people across our community.

Often it’s through community engagement and sharing ways to prepare for storms and floods. Other times it’s helping make a road safe after a fallen tree. And sometimes, we meet people on one of the most difficult days of their lives.

In October last year our volunteers were called to assist emergency services following the sudden passing of Martin ‘Mart’ Brown.

Mart was a much-loved partner to Ben and remembered by those who knew him as a lovely person. He passed away on the farm he loved.

As the first anniversary of Mart’s passing approaches, Ben has been sharing memories of the life they had together and the things that made Mart, Mart.

This week we were incredibly humbled when Ben reached out to include our unit in those memories, making a very generous donation in Mart’s name.

Ben, thank you for your generosity and for trusting us with a small part of Mart’s story. We are honoured that you chose our unit as one of the ways you are keeping his memory alive.

Today we remember Mart 🧡

05/09/2026

🪵 SES Foster Unit members have been out clearing trees and branches from local roads following today’s storms.

⛈️ Take care while the weather rolls through — conditions can change quickly.

📱 For flood and storm assistance call 132 500. For life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero (000).

04/09/2026

⚠️ When severe weather is forecast, do you know where to get the latest information?

Staying informed can help you prepare and stay safe.

📱 VicEmergency – check current warnings and incidents and make sure your Watch Zones are up to date. www.emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

🌦️ Bureau of Meteorology – check your local forecast, weather warnings and rain radar. https://www.bom.gov.au

📻 Emergency broadcasters – tune in to ABC Local Radio or your local emergency broadcaster for updates.

💻 VICSES – visit our website for preparedness tips. https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/be-storm-smart

Remember, conditions can vary across Gippsland, so check the latest information for your local area.

For emergency assistance from VICSES during storms and floods, call 132 500. If life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000).

01/09/2026

🌻Spring has sprung! 🌸

Now is the perfect time to prepare for storms ahead of the Higher Risk Weather Season which starts on 5 October this year 🌩

Get ahead of the season by:
🧹 Cleaning your gutters, downpipes and drains.
🌳 Trimming back trees and branches around your property.
🎒 Getting your emergency kit ready.
🪢 Having materials handy to tie down loose outdoor items if it gets windy.
📱 Updating your VicEmergency app to the latest version and setting up a watch zone.