Grants for storm-hit Yarra Ranges traders

Dandenong Ranges businesses hit hard by recent storms say they will lose about a month of income, but government payments may help.

Wild storms hit the area and other parts of Victoria almost two weeks ago, bringing trees down on hundreds of houses and leaving thousands more without power.

Function venue Mist@Olinda has been forced to close its cafe and restaurant, cancelling functions in June and into July.

Rohit Gorsi from Mist told AAP that while the venue escaped major damage, he's had to throw out about $5,000 worth of food because he can't run his fridges.

"I am very worried indeed... it is very hard for us to survive," he said on Sunday.

About 1450 properties are unlikely to have any electricity for another three weeks.

On Sunday, the Victorian government announced $2500 weekly payments for businesses that lost power in the storms, while households are already eligible for $1680 payments.

Rhonda and Mark Fergus from Gallery B&B in Olinda have lived in the hills for 45 years.

The couple has been dealing with insurance assessors and repairs, after the storm brought a Liquidambar tree onto their house, damaging a window and chimney.

They've been surviving the cold using a generator, and they too have had to cancel a month of bookings.

Poor phone reception and no internet have added to the challenges, and Mr Fergus has at times walked more than a kilometre to make a phone call.

They say applying for government grants on a smartphone has been next to impossible.

Mr Fergus says help has taken days to arrive, and many people in the area feel let down.

"A lot of them are very angry, and that's very understandable," he told AAP.

The Acting Premier James Merlino said 1400 people are now working to clear roads and repair powerlines, an additional 120 army personnel have also been deployed, and 200 generators are on their way.

Rhonda Fergus worries the generators are dangerous to run.

"Our 92 year old neighbour filled her generator while it was running," she said.