Tasmania SES is again calling on Tasmanians to stay up to date with weather forecasts and warnings, with more wet conditions expected to impact already saturated riverine systems over the next few days.
Tasmania SES Acting Director, Leon Smith said that the moderate to heavy rainfall that is being predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology will further increase river levels.
“The message for Tasmanians is that all of the riverine systems within the north half of the state are absolutely saturated,” he said.
“We conducted aerial assessments of northern Tasmania over the weekend, and there’s also a lot of water laying in paddocks still that’s not going to disappear in a hurry.”
“Every drop of rain that falls will increase river levels and could lead to flash flooding.”
The Bureau has also issued a severe weather warning for damaging south-easterly winds with gusts to around 80 km/h for the east, southeast and parts of the north.
“Again, with the recent conditions we know soils are wet which could make trees more likely to fall.”
Flood warnings have been issued for the South Esk, Macquarie, North Esk and Meander rivers and a flood watch continues for the North, North East, Derwent and South East Catchments.
Mr Smith said the SES has engaged with the councils and communities who are likely to be affected.
“People who live in areas of the east coast such as St Helens and St Marys are aware they need to take precautionary measures and prepare their properties,” he said.
“Those councils have information on their websites about where people can go to access sand bags to help mitigate their risk of homes and businesses being affected by water inundation.”
“I’m asking all Tasmanians to do what they can to keep themselves safe, and to stay up to date with the situation by visiting TasALERT.com.”
To stay up to date, and for more information, visit:
• http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/ – for the latest weather forecast and warnings.
• https://www.alert.tas.gov.au/ – for current flood warnings and advice.
• https://www.ses.tas.gov.au/ – for advice on how to prepare, and make flood and evacuation plans
• https://www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/ – for road closures
For assistance:
• Call SES on 132 500 for flood and storm-related emergency assistance.
• Dial Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency.