At approximately 8.00pm on 21 March 2013, a category F3 tornado with winds between 250-300 kilometres per hour crossed north-east Victoria and travelled up to the border of New South Wales.
The tornado lasted only five minutes, but in this time the wind caused considerable destruction in the Murray River townships of Koonoomoo, Rutherglen, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Bundalong, Euroa and Mulwala. Roofs were lifted off houses, caravans were overturned and some commercial buildings were severely damaged, including the Cobram Barooga Golf Club, several historic buildings in the main street of Rutherglen, two caravan parks, a car dealership and a winery.
Approximately 15 homes were deemed uninhabitable in Koonoomoo, seven in Bundalong and two in Rutherglen. Fourteen properties were badly damaged in Bundalong and 19 other properties sustained damaged across the region. It is estimated more than 100 caravans were damaged by the winds.
Approximately 24 people were injured, many from flying debris during the tornado. Four people were airlifted to Melbourne by Ambulance Victoria with serious injuries, while others were treated in local hospitals.
The State Emergency Service received approximately 150 calls for assistance during this period, most requiring help with fallen trees blocking roads or damaging houses. The Hume Freeway, near Benalla, and the Murray Valley Highway at Bundalong were forced to close until fallen trees had been cleared. Disruptions occurred to local power and telecommunications services.
Orchards and vineyards across Mulwala, Yarrawonga, Bundalong, Koonoomoo and Rutherglen were also impacted by the tornado. One peach grower in Koonoomoo had 2,000 fruit trees flattened by the winds, causing damage in excess of $100,000.
Recovery efforts were hindered by scattered debris; in some locations there were sheets of iron high up in trees and exposed asbestos.
The federal and state governments agreed to provide emergency financial assistance for those affected by the tornadoes. The Insurance Council of Australia stated it would be unlikely to declare the incident a catastrophe, based on the damage evidenced to date.
In April 2013, Moira Shire Council declared a period of emergency, in which clean-up efforts were the focus. The estimated cost of the clean-up was between $400,000 and $500,000.