26-05-2025
Mildura 'battens down the hatches' as dust storm takes over
Mildura residents are navigating an orange haze as a dust storm sweeps over the regional Victorian city.
Police are directing traffic across town, as it gets harder for motorists to see.
Real estate agent Katrina Wootton said while it was not that unusual for Mildura, it was the first dust storm in a while.
"The Mallee dust is just rearing its ugly head today," Ms Wootton said.
"We're quite used to it, you know, close all the windows and batten down the hatches.
Emergency Services are warning people in the area to stay indoors, close their windows and shut their doors.
If indoors, they advise people to set air conditioners to recirculate air and to cover your nose and mouth with a mask or damp cloth.
"I've been wearing my sunglasses all day even though it's quite dull to keep the dust out of the eyes," Ms Wootton said.
"I thought it was going to miss us … but it's getting progressively worse and worse."
ABC Statewide Drive listeners texted in to the program and said in Colignan, visibility was reduced to 400 metres.
While in Red Cliffs, Sue Eason told the ABC the sky had turned from red to black.
"If we look out we can see vineyards … [but] we can only see the first row," Ms Eason said.
"My car is blue but it's brown.
"Outside we'll have to blow a lot of things down tomorrow."
Parts of South Australia have also experienced dust storms as wild weather hits the state.
