SES Sale Unit

27/02/2026

** Update: A new warning has been issued. Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/ **

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall
Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/
Issued at: 12:04 pm EDT on Friday 27 February 2026

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

When:
Slow-moving thunderstorms have developed in a moist environment this morning, bringing isolated heavy rainfall to parts of West and South Gippsland.

Situation:
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Bairnsdale, Sale, Dargo and Maffra.

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 https://www.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 warning is due to be issued by 3:05 pm.

23/02/2026

Heavy rainfall, storms and potential flooding, both flash and riverine are possible for this afternoon and evening.

Prepare your home ahead of the rain's arrival by taking some steps to save you experiencing an emergency later!

- If you're able, clean your gutters ahead of the rain.
- Move vehicles away from trees and avoid travel through storms or heavy rainfall.
- Secure any loose items outside.
- If you have a Generator for potential power loss, check that it has fuel and is in running order.

If you need assistance, dial 132 500 for SES, or 000 for life-threatening emergencies.

Widespread thunderstorms are forecast across Victoria throughout Tuesday, 24 February, including the chance of localised, severe thunderstorms developing with the capacity to cause flash flooding in some areas.
Now is the time to prepare your property for a significant rainfall event by clearing gutters, downpipes and drains and parking vehicles undercover or away from trees where possible.
Community members should also remain alert to dangerous road conditions if driving and remember to never drive through floodwater. Stay inside if conditions outside appear dangerous.
To learn more about how to prepare for potential flooding, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/plan-and-stay-safe/emergencies/flood.

For SES emergency assistance, call 132 500.

08/02/2026

Join one of our unit officers, Matt, for a view from the water, as our LBSWR members practice their rope-bag chucking (aka. Throw-bag rescue) skills.
It genuinely requires practice and building muscle memory to get this right. Release too early, the bag falls short, too late and you launch it waaay up in the air... and then it falls short...
The trainers were trying to create some urgency with this run, by sending a heap of 'Casualties' down at once. You can see this from the spiderweb of ropes into the river. (And hear the word 'Chaos' at the start 😆)
It looks hectic, and also kind of fun, but it's important experience in a controlled environment for our members.

08/02/2026

Over the weekend, 2 of our Sale members headed to Eildon, on the Goldburn River, to undertake the Land Based Swift Water Rescue skills maintenance course.
The course consisted of 3 parts: Throw bag practice and theory session in the morning, followed by getting in the River to practice self-rescue and rope Rescue skills before lunch, then finishing with 3 scenarios in the afternoon. Our unit also has several more members completing the course in coming weeks.
The Goulburn River was a cosy 13°C, and running at 5000ML/d, so it was fortunate that the outside temperature was well above 30°C for the training.
This prepares our members for the real world calls we get, for rescuing people who have become trapped in moving waters. Since completing the initial course, our unit has been called to at least 4 of these rescues, and they are always dynamic and complex.
Thanks to the trainers and organisers that put the course together for our members!

30/01/2026

"In an emergency, look for the helpers"

Are you a helper?
Can you spare a few hours a week to help your community in an emergency?

The Sale SES is looking for new members to join us in 2026!

All training and equipment is provided, no experience necessary.

Message our page for more info, or head to ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express your interest!

We look forward to seeing you in orange!

30/01/2026

Are you interested in knowing more about what the SES does?

Can you spare a few hours a week to help your community?

Can you see yourself in orange?

Then we'd love to hear from you!
We're looking for new members to join us in 2026!

Message the page to find out more, or head to ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express your interest today!

28/01/2026

The Sale SES Unit is looking for new members to join our crew!

If you can spare a few hours a week to help your community, we'd love to hear from you!

Our unit specializes in:

- Road Crash Rescue
- Search & Rescue
- Land-based swift-water rescue
- Storm & Flood response
- Agency support roles
- Boating operations (Crewperson, Deckhand and Coxswain)
- and more!

We train on Wednesday nights from 7pm throughout the year.

If you can see yourself in orange, message our page to find out more about becoming a member, or head to ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express interest today!

26/01/2026

Looking for a new challenge in 2026?

Want to help your community and make a difference?

Want to meet like-minded people, receive great training an opportunities to learn new things?

The Sale SES is returning to training on the 4th of Feb, and we're looking for new members to join our team!

No experience required, all training, uniform and equipment is provided! There's a role for everyone in the SES.

Message our page to find out more, or goto ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express your interest!

Look forward to hearing from you!

17/01/2026

Throughout the last week, and into the week ahead, our members have been deployed to Dargo and Heyfield ICC as part of the Bushfire support team.

Our members assist with Logistics, planning and roadblocks, so the CFA crews can focus on fighting the fire and getting containment lines in place.

The photos attached are from our members adventured through the week.

If you'd like to be involved, reach out to us via Facebook, for more info on becoming a member!

17/01/2026

That's a bit rough...

A large tree branch in front of the Sale Library decided to drop into a vehicle, blocking a lane of traffic.

Fortunately, no one was injured, and damaged was relatively minimal.

We had quite a crowd checking out our work for this one! It actually came away from the vehicle pretty smoothly in the end!

We have to stress though, if you're passing emergency service vehicles with lights on and members working on the roadway... SLOW DOWN!

There were numerous cars coming passed at dangerous speeds, well above 40km/h, putting our members, and the VicPol members at risk. 😨

13/01/2026

Our members are currently in Dargo, assisting with fire logistics for the week.

SES members are routinely involved with other services, and have been described as the "Swiss Army Knife" of emergency services.

If you can see yourself in Orange, and want to be involved and help your community, check out the join us page at the link below or send us a message. Also; look out for our upcoming recruitment campaigns!

Are you watching the current emergencies in Gippsland and across Victoria, and wondering what you can do to help? 🤔
If you would like to volunteer to support your community, you can!
VICSES has 21 units in Gippsland and 154 statewide who respond to storms, floods, rescues and more. At times like this, we also support our partner Emergency Service agencies.

As a volunteer you can:
🔸 Join a mission-driven team.
🔸 Build your skillset.
🔸 Connect with your community.
🔸Make a lasting impact.

Become a VICSES volunteer today: www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us

📸 SES Winchelsea Unit

09/01/2026

It's starting to get warm and windy outside!

Remember the 9 P's today:
Planning, Practising and Preparing Prevents Poor Performance and Prevents Probability of Perishing!

Are you ready for the effects of hot and windy weather? Do you have a fire plan?

Some simple steps you can take RIGHT NOW to prepare include:
- Ensuring you have adequate water supply.
- Making sure devices are charged and consider an extra battery pack
- Ensure you have adequate supplies for an extended power outage, which may occur.
- Check in on family, elderly neighbours and friends.
- Download the VicEmergency App and set-up an alert area/s relevant to you and your loved ones. Or visit the emergency.vic.gov.au website.

If you live out of town, consider the additional steps:
- Check pumps and Fire fighting appliances are operational, test them if needed and make sure they're fuelled up.
- Consider setting up a generator if available, in case of loss of power.
- Ensure sprinkler systems are working and consider pre-watering areas around your home.
- Clean gutters and remove any leafy debris from around your property.

Taking these simple steps now can ensure you're not caught out later in then event conditions worsen or a fire starts in our area.

Take care, stay cool and hydrated, and spare a thought for our friends in the CFA who are working hard all over the state today!

It's going to get windy folks. In addition to the heat and fire risk, there is also a Severe Weather Warning issued for today, Friday 9 January, for damaging wind gusts across the state.

A forecast of the thunderstorm potential for today is also pictured below.

Take the time to check that loose items such as outdoor furniture, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.

If you need flood or storm emergency assistance, call VICSES on 132 500.

Stay safe out there.