Hogan Island, between Gippsland Victoria and Flinders Island recorded a 180km/h gust at 10 o'clock this morning, comparable to that of a category three cyclone. This was the strongest wind recorded at a Victorian coastal location, according to weatherzone.com.au. Flinders and Swan islands, also in eastern Bass Strait had their strongest winds in at least two years, 104 and 117 km/h respectively. Cape Grim also had a two-year high with 143km/h westerlies. Winds were generally not as strong over inland Tasmania and Victoria, and not as strong as those recorded on April 2nd this year when there was widespread damage. Luckily damage was relatively minor this time. The cause of these winds was an intense low pressure system (as low as 943hPa) crossing the Southern Ocean. This afternoon there has been an easing trend in Victoria and Tasmania due to the low heading further east.