Tasmania State Emergency Service (SES) is asking the community to be prepared with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing a Severe Weather Warning for Western, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts with damaging winds averaging 60-70 km/h and gusts of around 100km/h expected to develop on Tuesday morning before easing again in the late evening.
This follows severe weather experienced over the weekend with SES members, alongside Tasmania Police and Tasmania Fire Service (TFS), responding to multiple incidents across southern Tasmania with damaging winds that impacted the region.
Acting Assistant Director, Operations and Resources, Chris Irvine said a Severe Weather Warning was issued on Saturday (4 October) for the Western, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts, with damaging west to north-westerly winds reaching peak gusts of around 100 km/h, and up to 120 km/h in elevated terrain and far southern coastal areas.
“We received nine requests for assistance on Sunday (5 October), all within the southern region, particularly in the greater Hobart area including Bellerive, Howrah, Midway Point, Hobart CBD, Glenorchy, and Lawitta.
“All of these requests related to minor property damage, including broken windows, damaged roofing and fencing, and securing loose items.
“About 12 noon on Sunday (5 October), SES, Police and TFS responded to an incident at Glebe Hill Shopping Centre on Hobart’s eastern shore where strong winds caused a carpark roof sail cloth to become loose and land on approximately eight vehicles.
“Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though several vehicles sustained minor damage.
“SES and TFS crews secured the sail cloth using ropes, while Tasmania Police ensured public safety at the scene.
“About 12:45pm Sunday, SES crews attended a callout to a building in the Hobart CBD to secure a loose piece of fascia, thankfully, no injuries were reported,” said Mr Irvine.
“Rainfall totals over the past 48 hours reached 30–50mm in western Tasmania, 10–30mm in northern areas, and 5–10mm elsewhere.
“Continued rainfall in western regions may increase the risk of flooding in western and southern catchments later this week.
“We’d like to send our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers who responded over the weekend,” added Mr Irvine.
“Their dedication, resilience, and readiness to serve, often in challenging and unpredictable conditions, make a profound difference in the safety and wellbeing of our communities.
“As the severe weather continues, we’re asking people in the affected areas to continue to monitor conditions and keep up to date with warnings on TasALERT.com or listen to local ABC radio.
“Our SES crews remain ready to help. Their assistance can be requested by calling 132 500 and in an emergency people should always phone Triple Zero (000),” said Mr Irvine.
SES advises that people can stay up to date with:
• http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/ – for the latest weather forecast and warnings.
• https://www.alert.tas.gov.au/ – for current warnings and advice.
• https://www.ses.tas.gov.au/ – for advice on how to prepare and plan
• https://www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/ – for road closures