SYDNEY, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Australian state government of Victoria on Monday announced financial support to households impacted by severe weather events in February.

The eligibility for the Prolonged Power Outage Payment has been expanded to households that have been without power for seven days cumulatively, as a consequence of both extreme weather events on Feb. 13 and Feb. 22.

According to the state government, more than 530,000 Victorians experienced power outages as powerful winds, severe thunderstorms and catastrophic fire danger battered the state on Feb. 13, which caused extensive damage to more than 12,000 kilometers of poles and wires.

Though 99 percent of those affected customers were reconnected, some areas experienced another prolonged outage due to a new weather event on Feb. 22, when a burst of hot, dry and windy conditions again gripped Victoria.

"These storms caused significant damage to residential properties and private electricity infrastructure across parts of Victoria and we're making sure those impacted twice have access to the support they need," said Lily D'Ambrosio, Victoria's minister for energy.

The second-most populous state of Australia is forecast to face a return of dangerous fire weather this week, as Victoria's statutory entity for emergency management called on residents to stay alert.

"Temperatures are expected to soar over the next few days, with hot dry winds and a number of total fire bans expected across multiple districts," Emergency Management Victoria warned. Enditem

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