Merlo Builders workmen repair a roof in Finlayson Court, Horsham, after strong winds hit on Wednesday night. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Strong wind damaged two Horsham houses in Finlayson Court on Wednesday.
The wind, which hit about 3pm, prompted calls from the State Emergency Service for Wimmera residents to be aware of unpredictable weather.
Horsham SES crews attended the scene after the wind tore tiles from the roof of Florence McCombe's Finlayson Court home.
They covered a gaping hole in the roof with a tarpaulin and sandbags.
Mrs McCombe said it sounded like an explosion when the wind hit her roof.
"There was this hell of a noise, a really terrible noise," she said.
"I put it down to thunder and called my son asking if he heard it because I couldn't think of what else it might have been.
"I thought it could have been a plane going over or a truck going past but there wasn't any trafffic outside.
"I had never thought of going out and looking at the roof."
Neighbour Lorraine Clayton said the wind cracked her roof tiles, ripped a shrub out of the ground and threw outdoor chairs about four metres.
"It was just really strange because it happened out of the blue," she said.
"It hit our place but it really hit Florence's house."
SES spokesman Stefan Delatovic said the wind showed how unexpected weather conditions could be.
"The danger of these stormy conditions and high wind are that they are unpredictable so we would encourage people to take care," he said.
"You never know how your house could be affected so ensure that outside articles and furniture are tied down.
"Particularly be careful on the roads if wind hits suddenly because it can cause trees to fall onto the road, which can be dangerous."