Advice — West And South Gippsland

Record type: warning

Incident type: Thunderstorm Asthma

Location: West and South Gippsland

Status: Minor

Message type: Advice

Action: Prepare Now

Agency: Other Agencies

Issued: 31 Oct 2026, 2:03 pm AEDT

Updated: 31 Oct 2026, 2:03 pm AEDT

This Advice is being issued for West and South Gippsland.

• There is a high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma in the West and South Gippsland district on Saturday 31 October 2026.
• People may experience asthma symptoms or difficulty breathing due to thunderstorm activity.
• Thunderstorm asthma can be triggered by a combination of high amounts of grass pollen in the air and a certain type of thunderstorm.
• For people who have asthma or hay fever, this can trigger severe asthma symptoms.
• This Advice message replaces the Advice message issued at 4:36pm, Friday 30 October.

Be aware of an increased chance of experiencing breathing difficulties or an asthma attack. Prepare now - carry your asthma reliever puffer with you at all times today. What you should do:

• Avoid the wind gusts before the storm. Go inside and close your windows and doors.
• Turn off air conditioners that bring in air from the outside (ie evaporative air conditioners).
• Be aware of and act on the development of asthma symptoms including wheezing, breathlessness, tightness in the chest, or a persistent cough, as you may be having an asthma attack.
• An asthma attack is serious and can be life threatening.

If you are experiencing asthma symptoms for the first time:

• Don’t ignore them. Use the four steps of asthma first aid.
• If you don’t have an asthma reliever puffer, they are available without a prescription from pharmacies.
• You can also use another person’s asthma reliever if available.
• If your asthma suddenly becomes worse or is not improving, or if you are having an asthma attack and a reliever is not available, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

For health advice:

• Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if someone is not breathing, if their asthma suddenly becomes worse or is not improving, or if the person is having an asthma attack and an asthma reliever puffer is not available.
• Call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24 or see your doctor if you require medical advice.
• For urgent care that is not life-threatening, contact the Virtual Emergency Department for a free video consultation with an emergency doctor or nurse.

Impacts in your area:

• A high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma is forecast for West and South Gippsland on Saturday 31 October.

This message was issued by Department of Health.
The next update is expected by 31/10/2026 11:00 pm or as the situation changes.
For more information:

• For more information on what thunderstorm asthma is, visit the Better Health Channel.
• Monitor epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecasts.

Use multiple sources to stay informed:

• www.emergency.vic.gov.au
• VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
• VicEmergency app
• Facebook
• ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or News24 TV.

Accessibility:The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.

• For information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
• If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact the National Relay Service and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.