Severe weather update 3pm Friday

Significant rainfall overnight has resulted in rising floodwaters across the north and northwest and central Tasmania. 

Yesterday and overnight, the State Emergency Service have issued Emergency Warnings to Evacuate for a number of communities due to record rainfall totals in some areas.

There are Emergency Warnings to Evacuate Now current for:

  •  Mersey River (Kimberley, Elizabeth Town, Merseylea, Sunnyside, Railton, Sassafras, Latrobe, Tarleton and surrounds)
  • Meander River (Meander, Montana, Red Hills, Deloraine, Reedy Marsh, Exton, Westbury, Selbourne, Quamby Bend, Hagley, Westwood, Carrick and surrounds)

SES advises that if you live in these areas, you should evacuate if it is safe to do so, and go to the home of a family member or friend who are in a safe location or an evacuation centre.

If staying with family and friends is not an option, the evacuation centres for these areas are:

  • Latrobe Memorial Hall, 170 Gilbert Street,
  • Deloraine Community Centre – 2-8 Alverston Dr, Deloraine
  • Ulverstone Recreation Centre, 2 Flora St, Ulverstone

Low numbers of people have currently made us of the Council managed evacuation centres.

The SES continues to monitor the St Patricks, Forth, Liffey, Macquarie, Lake, North Esk, Leven, Emu, South Esk and Ouse Rivers and Western, Dampers, Mole Creeks and Lobsters Rivulet.

The SES has reiterated warnings that driving conditions may be dangerous. Some roads and bridges may be impacted. Drive to the conditions and do not drive through flood waters. Flood waters are a risk to safety, never walk, play, ride, or drive in floodwater.

The State Emergency Service Acting Director, Leon Smith, advises that “Flood inundation modelling from the 2016 event has been used to inform our response and we have been well prepared for this significant and protracted event.

“Emergency Alert has been activated to directly message everyone with a mobile phone as well as landlines in the identified evacuation areas. SES has doorknocked homes likely to be affected.

“While rain has begun to ease today (Friday), floodwaters will continue to pose a threat for some time and it will take several days before the floodwaters subside.”

TasWater continues to monitor the dam at Lake Isandula, near Gawler.

  • Downstream of Lake Isandula Dam (Isandula Road, Preston Road and Gawler Road), an advice message is in place to return safely.)

From midnight to 10:00 hours on Friday, the SES received 129 calls to 132 500, resulting in 32 Requests for Assistance.

The Tasmania Emergency Information Service has been established to provide flood-affected communities with general information throughout this weather event. People can call 6145 5303 for the cost of a local call.

For flood and storm assistance call 132 500 and for life threatening emergencies call Triple Zero.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has advised that this a significant rain event and it is expected to impact the north and north-west of the state with ongoing flooding into next week.

Tasmania Police are reminding drone operators to be safe and aware of the rules surrounding the use of unmanned aircraft, particularly those that may restrict flying where emergency operations using aircraft are under way.

Flood Watch and Act Warnings are on TasALERT and should be carefully monitored.

Advice to community:

SES urge people to seek further information and keep up-to-date with information from:

In the event of heavy rainfall and flooding:

  • Check that family and neighbours, especially those who are vulnerable, are aware and have a plan in place.
  • Supervise children closely.
  • Minimise unnecessary travel.
  • Never enter or drive through floodwaters, and when driving look out for debris on roads including fallen trees and power lines.
  • Manage pets and livestock.
  • Be prepared for flash-flooding.
  • Be prepared for power outages.
  • Listen to the ABC radio.

For assistance:

  • Tasmania Emergency Information Service for flood-affected communities with general information throughout this weather event on 6145 5303 for the cost of a local call.
  • Call SES on 132 500 for flood and storm-related emergency assistance.
  • Dial Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency.