Riverine flooding information for Meander River

Meander can flood from the Meander River. The map shows the expected Moderate and Major Flood levels in around Meander. You are likely to experience a major flood in your lifetime.

In a major flooding event, roads in and around Meander are likely to be cut and some areas inundated. If you need to evacuate, you should leave early, before flood waters rise. Listen to ABC local radio for warnings and advice.

In such flooding events, the Meander area may be isolated due to flooding of the Main Road, Highland Lakes Road and Cheshunt Road. Flooding, landslips or fallen trees may also cut minor roads. It is dangerous to drive through flooded roads, particularly in isolated areas.

Even if your home is not inundated, you may be isolated for several days before flood waters recede. You should have supplies for up to three days and be prepared for power and telecommunications outages. Note if you are isolated, you may not be able to access medical or other help if needed.

Are you at risk of flood?

Example past flooding events around Meander include:

• Moderate flooding in 1992,2010 and 2011.
• 1997,2016 and 2022 were Major flooding events. The peak of the 2022 flood was a new record flood height for the Meander River at Meander gauging station site reaching 3.75m.

What should I do?

• Check the map to see whether your home or business is likely to be at risk during a flood.
• Check if you might not be able to safely get to your home, work, or school during a flood.
• Prepare a Home Emergency Plan. Consider if you need to evacuate before a flood.
• Assess your home or business and prepare it to minimise possible flood damage.

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) Forecasts, Warnings, and Observations

BoM issues a Flood Watch when predicted weather might cause floods in one or two days. A Flood Watch may

• be for a specific area such as Meander, or
• be generalised such as for Great Western Tiers, Central Plateau or Central North forecast district.

BoM issues a Severe Weather Warning for very heavy rain that may lead to flash flooding when this weather occurs or is expected in an area. The amount of time between the warning and the arrival of the heavy rain can vary from an hour to 24 hours or sometimes more.

BoM issues Flood Warnings with specific flood heights for the Meander River at Meander gauging site with warnings of flood heights. Flood warnings can be issued for Minor (2.0m), Moderate (3.0m) and Major (3.5m) flood levels.

Understand the warnings and key information

Keep aware of what is happening around you. Check forecasts, observations and warnings regularly.

• TasALERT.com
• your local ABC radio station or
• the Bureau of Meteorology’s website.

No two floods are the same. Floods like the one shown in the map or worse will occur again.

If you live in a low-lying area you may be at risk of flooding. Even if your home is safe, you may need to detour around flooded areas. Never drive through or enter flood waters.

Knowing what to do can save your life and help protect your property. Preparing a Home Emergency Plan is one of the best ways to prepare.

Include weather and rainfall triggers for action in your Home Emergency Plan.

Flood levels at Meander

While no two floods are the same, the following table shows what you can expect at different flood levels around Meander. Even if your property is not flooded, you need to think about access routes.

A Minor Flood means

• Water is largely contained to the river channel with some minor breakouts into adjacent paddocks.
• Livestock and agricultural equipment should be moved from next to the river channel.
• There are no buildings at risk of inundation.
• No properties are isolated
• There are no roads inundated.

A Moderate Flood means

• Water spills over riverbanks and covers larger areas of land, impacting some homes and other buildings along Main Road.
• Livestock and agricultural equipment should be moved from low lying land
• Some homes along Main Road may become surrounded by shallow flood waters.
• Above floor flooding is unlikely
• Isolation of Meander and surrounds will occur before reaching the Major flood level.

Flooding closes roads such as:

• Highland Lakes Road
• Meander Road
• Main Road
• Cheshunt Road
• Sandy Lane/Long Ridge Road

A Major Flood means

• Widespread flooding into the floodplain, impacting some homes and buildings with above floor flooding along Main Road.
• Livestock and agricultural equipment should be moved to the highest areas available.
• Main Road homes within the inundation area are surrounded by water.
• Above floor flooding is likely.
• Meander and surrounds are isolated.

Closed roads may include:

• Highland Lakes Road due to extensive flooding.
• Many local roads at minor waterway and drainage crossings

Know your risk, get ready, reduce risk where you can, connect with others, stay alert and act safe.

Before a flood

1. Know your risk

Flooding often happens in Tasmania and can cause widespread and significant damage. In the past 200 years there have been 78 flood related deaths in Tasmania. This guide is to help you understand flood risk in your area.

2. Prepare your household

Have an emergency plan that covers storms and floods

Thinking about what you would do in a storm or flood means you are more prepared and everyone is safer. Have an emergency plan that everyone in your household understands. There are checklists to help you think through your plan – see the SES website or Red Cross Rediplan.
Check your plan regularly and test it by everyone in the household thinking through a flooding scenario that may affect your household.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Regularly test batteries in radios and torches.

3. Reduce your risk from flooding where you can

• Think about storms, flooding and other hazards when buying, maintaining or developing property.
• Trim or remove trees and branches overhanging your home, business or near powerlines on your property.
• Keep your gutters and drains clear.

4. Connect with others

Know your neighbours and get involved in your community.  A connected community is a safer and more resilient community in an emergency and can help everyone recover better afterwards. Check that family and neighbours are safe and aware of what’s happening.

During

5. Keep up to date

Keep aware of what is happening around you. Check forecasts, observations and warnings regularly. 

• TasALERT 
• your local ABC radio station or
• the Bureau of Meteorology’s website.

6. Act Safe

• Supervise children.
• Prepare for possible power, water or internet outages.
• Check your emergency kit is ready to go.
• Keep clear of flooded areas such as drains. NEVER walk, play, ride or drive in floodwater. You can’t always see what is under the water or how deep or fast-moving the water is. It is easy to be swept away and drown in as little as 20cm of fast-moving water. Flood water can be dangerous.

When your home may be flooded

• Put household items up high to minimise possible damage.
• Turn off the electricity and gas if it is safe to do so. 
• A great way to stop sewerage flowing back into your home is to place sandbags inside plastic bags and use them to block toilets and cover drains and sinks.
• Leave while you can get out safely.

If you need to evacuate

• Follow the advice from SES / Tasmania Police.  
• Take your emergency kit. 
• Go to friends or family in a safer place or an evacuation centre. 
• Let others know where you have gone.

Look after your animals

You are responsible for your animals in an emergency. If you have pets and other animals it will take you longer to evacuate in a flood or other emergency. Move livestock from flood prone areas well before flood waters may rise.  For more information see

• RSPCA’s guidance on preparing for animals in an emergency
• the Primary producer farm flood readiness toolkit.

Avoid travelling during and after storms

• Do not go sightseeing. Sightseers delay emergency services and cause accidents.
• Watch out for hazards such as
  • water over roads
  • damaged powerlines
  • landslides
  • damaged roads
  • falling trees or roofing iron.
• Never drive through flood waters. Most deaths and rescues in floods are from people driving through flood waters.
• Drive slowly and turn your headlights on roads not affected by flood waters.

After

• Keep listening for ABC Local Radio updates, road re-openings, community meetings, etc.
• If you left your home, do not return home until SES or Tasmania Police tell you it is safe to do so.
• Be aware of road hazards, such as mud or debris on the road, damaged roads/bridges and crews working on clean-up and repairs.

If your home has been damaged

• Stay at ground level while checking for damage. Be careful of fallen trees, broken glass, loose roofing or other hazards.
• Wear strong boots, gloves and protective clothes. 
• Use a torch, never use matches or candles inside flood affected buildings. 
• Boil all drinking water until you are told the tap water is safe again.
• Do not turn on it is tested by a licensed electrician or gas fitter for safety.
• If your home is damaged and you need to stay somewhere else, take your emergency kit and pets with you
• Take photos of any damage if safe for you to do so and contact your insurance company.
• Supervise children.
• Check neighbours are okay.

For further information go to www.ses.tas.gov.au

Staying informed and further information

Current warnings (TasAlerts) alerts.tas.gov.au

Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)

Emergency Broadcasters ABC 936AM

TASSES Social Media

facebook.com/sestasmania

twitter.com/sestasmania

Preparing for Flood Emergencies ses.tas.gov.au/plan-prepare/flood 

Meander Valley Council                    meander.tas.gov.au                          6393 5300

National Relay Service (NRS) relayservice.gov.au