Tasmanians urged to take precautions to stay safe with damaging winds forecast

A taste of home was served up for a couple who braved the elements to attend a Greek Festival, while many events in Southern Tas were disrupted due to wild weather.

Wild weather in Hobart. Wind lashes the Montrose Bay foreshore. Picture: Kelvin Ball

While the Estia Greek Festival wasn’t as bustling as previous years due to wild weather lashing Southern Tasmania, it didn’t deter some hardy souls.

Among the brave were Suzette and Andy Menking and their dog Squid were prepared for strong wind and rainy weather at the festival.

“We were hungry for Greek food,” Mr Menking said.

“It started raining as soon as we left the driveway, so we were already committed.”

Moving from the United States to Melbourne before settling in Hobart in December, Mrs Menking said she loved Greek festivals.

“I used to go to Greek festivals all the time. There was a large Greek community actually in Alabama,” she said.

“It’s a little slice of home in a weird kind of roundabout way.

Suzette and Andy Menking with their dog Squid at the Estia Greek Festival at North Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“But that’s why we moved. We just want to travel the world and experience all the different cultures that it has to offer and the food and that’s why we’re here.”

Elsewhere, Frogmore Creek reported to have lost power because of heavy winds in parts of Cambridge, with the power returning just after midday.

“Despite the sunshine, the wind has caused some havoc and the power is currently out in Cambridge,” they said on social media.

“As a result, our phone lines are down and there is no power onsite.”

Blackouts hit more than 2000 TasNetwork customers across Tasmania throughout the morning.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jenny Horvat said the winds would start easing from the West overnight.

“Maatsuyker Island had 139km/h gusts but then kunanyi/Mt Wellington had 133km/h early Sunday morning as well. Hobart had a little bit later in the morning 94km/h gusts,” she said.

“Those winds are really dropping back and becoming pretty light in the afternoon. Monday is going to be a very stark contrast from today.

“That’s due to a high pressure system currently sitting for the south of South Australia and that’s going to make its way across the island during the day tomorrow, so we’re really going to see those winds lighten off into the afternoon period.”

Ms Horvat said there would be a few showers about the South-West area on Monday morning.

“We’ve got another trough coming through on Tuesday so maybe some showers coming into the West in the evening and then more broadly across the state on Wednesday before clearing off and then warming again as we head into the weekend ahead,” she said.

Hundreds without power as wild weather batters Tasmania

12pm: Electricity has been restored to hundreds of TasNetwork customers on South Arm following more than 1000 left without power earlier today.

However, black outs have struck 398 locations at Berriedale, Collinsvale and Glenlusk.

The outage around Cambridge, Dulcot and Richmond is still current, while more than 100 customers around Dunalley, Eaglehawk Neck and Murdunna are without power.

Work also continues to return electricity to 1260 customers in the North-West.

11.15am: The power outage on South Arm has partially been restored, with only 599 customers now cut off.

Meanwhile, in the North-West a widespreading power outage has left 1260 customers without electricity.

The affected areas include Black River, Boat Harbour, Boat Harbour Beach, Calder, Crayfish Creek, Detention, Edgcumbe Beach, Flowerdale, Hellyer, Lapoinya, Mawbanna, Milabena, Montumana, Moorleah, Myalla, Port Latta, Rocky Cape, Sisters Beach, Sisters Creek, Table Cape, Wynyard.

The cause of the outage is under investigation.

10.13am: Emergency services are being kept busy responding to a high number of reports that trees have fallen on the road.

Police say reports are coming from all areas of the state due to severe wind events.

They’ve urged motorists to drive with caution and to reduce speed in applicable areas.

Reports of trees falling down can be made by contacting the non-life-threatening emergency number 131 444, or in an emergency circumstance triple-0.

10am: Hundreds have been left without power on the South Arm as wild weather sweeps into the state. TasNetworks confirmed 1206 customers were without electricity at Opossum Bay, Sandford and South Arm at 9.30am.

Meanwhile 248 customers at Cambridge, Dulcot and Richmond are also without power.

Both outages are being investigated for the cause and there is no estimated time it will be restored.

TasNetworks said crews were attending to patrol powerlines at Opossum Bay, Sandford and South Arm to locate the cause of the outage.

“We are unable to remotely restore power due to the current fire risk,” TasNetworks said.

This comes as SES crews are on high alert with severe weather warnings in place.

Damaging and destructive winds in excess of 125km/h are expected over a large portion of the state.

Wild weather battering Tassie with damaging winds sweeping in

Initial: Damaging wind is forecast to hit several parts of Tasmania on Sunday morning, with residents and visitors warned of potential dangers that come with severe weather.

State Emergency Service assistant director Leon Smith said precautions needed to be taken, including being aware of damaged trees, managing pets and livestock, securing outdoor furniture and supervising children.

State Emergency Service assistant director Leon Smith

“A severe weather warning is in place for damaging and destructive winds in excess of 125km/h over large portions of the state expected from early tomorrow (Sunday) morning and expecting to ease late Sunday night,” he said.

“Tasmanians need to be aware that conditions will vary significantly around the state during.”

Mr Smith said the service had crews ready to respond to emergencies.

“We have SES volunteer crews prepared and ready to respond to incidents if needed, and I encourage everyone to be aware of the weather forecast and the conditions within their local area and to take steps to keep safe,” he said.

The weather warning comes as a Total Fire Ban remains in place for southern Tasmania.

Tasmania Fire Service Incident Controller Mark Klop said while temperatures were not expected to be particularly high, strong winds and dry conditions pushed authorities to exercise extreme caution.

“Sunday fire conditions will be challenging and our capacity to respond in forecast weather conditions will be restricted,” he said.

The Total Fire Ban will apply to the southern Tasmania until 2am on Monday.

“This means no fires will be permitted in the open in Southern Tasmania, including incinerators, burn-offs, campfires, fire pots, and wood-fuelled barbecues,” Mr Klop said.

“Operating commercial appliances such as pizza ovens, conducting hot works, forest operations and use of machinery will be permitted, provided they adhere with the relevant guidelines.”

Tasmania Fire Service Incident Controller Mark Klop. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Fires in the Central Highlands which threatened property and burnt out bushland last week have now been contained but a threat remains due to the strong winds expected on Sunday.

Mr Klop said about 150 firefighters from Tasmania Fire Service (TFS), Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) and Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) continue to work on the fire supported by Incident Management staff.

“Many roads in the vicinity of the fires have now been opened, however, Portal and Lake Echo Roads remain closed due to ongoing firefighting activities,” he said.

“Motorists and anyone considering camping or hunting in the Central Highlands are still asked to avoid the areas that have been affected by the fires.”

“Fire-affected trees may become unstable and have a significant risk of falling, particularly in windy conditions.”

For SES assistance, visit ses.tas.gov.au or phone 132 500. In an emergency, phone triple-0 (000).

Originally published as Tasmanians urged to take precautions to stay safe with damaging winds forecast