Power cut, ships cut loose in windy Melbourne

Thousands of properties remain without power while the clean-up continues following damaging wind gusts overnight.

The eastern and south-eastern suburbs worst hit.

Although the gusts weren’t as strong as recent strong winds, there were more than 280 calls for assistance.

Senior Meteorologist Tom Delamotte says it’s because the winds uncharacteristically came from the east.

“The trees aren’t as used to taking such a strong wind from that direction,” he said.

At Port Melbourne, tug boats came to the rescue as the Astor cruise ship suffered a gash down its side.

The Spirit of Tasmania also needed the help of tugboats after finding itself in trouble.

Tug boats also assisted @SpiritofTas, as it grappled with choppy seas at Port Melbourne around 8pm. @3AW693 pic.twitter.com/uJ6nnR50fC

— Priscilla Moca (@priscillamoca) February 19, 2018

Almost 3000 properties are still without power, almost 800 of those in Whittlesea.

Weather conditions have now eased, with a stretch of warm conditions ahead before a cool and wet weekend.