By ALESHA CAPONE
WILD weather caused traffic chaos in Wyndham recently, with roads shutting due to flooding and storm damage.
On Friday 22 June, 21.2 millimetres of rain was recorded within 24 hours, by the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) weather station at the Laverton RAAF base.
The total was the highest daily rainfall for June, and also tripled the area’s average 2012 monthly rainfall of 6.3mm.
The downpour caused problems for motorists, with police called to Leakes Rd in Truganina on the Friday morning, after a large pothole opened up in the road.
Australian Traffic Network reporter, Jeff Cooper, said residents began contacting radio stations to report the pothole, after it caused several car tyres to blow out.
“What happened was, about 100m west of Palmers Rd on Leakes Rd, there was one really big pothole after the heavy rain, which a lot of cars hit and sustained damage,” Mr Cooper said.
After some vehicles needed to be towed from the site, VicRoads issued a warning to drivers, to take care driving through the area.
The internet social media site, Twitter, was also flooded with updates from frustrated motorists who were held up due to the stormy weather.
Marquands Rd was closed between Leakes Rd and Westmeadows Lane in Truganina due to flooding, while Dohertys Rd was shut down between Derrimut Rd and Tarneit Rd.
Wyndham City Council’s CEO Kerry Thompson said three residents contacted the council “on 22 June to report potholes on Leakes Road which were likely caused by bad weather”.
“The potholes were repaired within hours and Wyndham City is now monitoring the drainage and pavement in the area,” she said.
“Potholes are possible on any road and drivers should be cautious in bad weather.”
