Powerful winds have caused widespread destruction in Australia s second-most populous state, Victoria, leaving 530,000 homes and businesses without power. Winds of up to 157 kph toppled six electricity transmission towers, causing one of the highest number of power outages Victoria state has ever experienced. A 50-year-old dairy farmer was killed by flying debris while driving a tractor near Mirboo North.
Storms packing powerful winds toppled trees, killed one person and knocked out power to 174,000 homes and businesses in eastern Australia, officials said Wednesday.
Australian police said at least six people were killed and three others missing after severe thunderstorms battered Australia's eastern states over the Christmas holidays, with tens of thousands of households without power in Queensland.