The storm rolled in about 2pm, catching residents off guard and leaving trees and branches blocking roads across the Wimmera.

The Western Highway was blocked by a large tree outside farm machinery business O'Connors in Dimboola Road, Horsham.

A Haven resident recorded wind gusts of 176kmh before his weather station `blew up'.

He said gusts were 29kmh faster than recordings during the Remlaw fire on February 7.

The storm caused power cuts across the Wimmera. Powercor's website said crews were working to restore power to Stawell, Donald, Watchem, Concongella, Landsborough, Navarre and Halls Gap by 6pm last night.

Powercor hoped to have power restored in Underbool and Walpeup by 7pm.

Power reconnection times for Yaapeet, Birchip, Stuart Mill, Wycheproof, Hopetoun and Rainbow were still unknown late yesterday.

State Emergency Service volunteers in Horsham were called to 27 jobs including smashed windows, damaged roofs and fallen trees.

SES Horsham unit controller Jason Woodhart said he had eight crew members on the ground and four on their way from Nhill.

"Our guys have spent the entire afternoon clearing trees and cleaning up damage," Mr Woodhart said. "We have been tarping houses when we can't repair the damage and still have a lot of work to do."

Kaniva Mobil Roadhouse lost its Mobil sign during the storm when it blew onto the highway bypass. Roadhouse manager Shelley McDonald said the wind shattered the large sign.

"It really was the last thing we wanted on the final day of the financial year," she said.

Saxton Rural Traders at Dimboola had 30 tanks blow up to three kilometres from the premises during the storm.

Saxton Rural Traders staff member Darren Jones said they had no hope of getting the tanks back to the site and spent the afternoon securing them.

"We had to pin them down where they landed to make sure they were secure and not a safety hazard," Mr Jones said.

Mintern Civil employees working on the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline had to use their equipment to remove fallen trees from the Borung Highway which were blocking access to and from Donald.

Laharum CFA's second lieutenant Luke Dumesny said Laharum was one of the worst hit areas and volunteers had spent the afternoon trying to clear roads.

"We saw it coming and I don't think anyone expected it to be as bad as it was," Mr Dumesny said.

"It was just one of those surprise storms and next thing we were clearing 30 to 40 trees off our roads."

- More reports, see today's Mail-Times.