Tasmania weather: Severe thunderstorms prompt flash flooding warning for East Coast

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Tassie’s east coast, with residents urged to be prepared as heavy rainfall continues to fall and floodwaters rise to “knee deep”. LATEST >

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Tassie’s North East and East Coast.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Tassie’s north east, with residents urged to be prepared as heavy rainfall continues to fall and floodwaters rise to “knee deep”.

A flood advice to monitor conditions was issued at 1.10pm for Scottsdale, Derby, Gladstone and surrounding areas by Tasmania SES.

At 2.42pm, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the North East and East Coast forecast districts.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Locations that may be affected include St Helens and Scamander.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Tassie's North East and East Coast. Photo: BOM

“A warm and humid onshore flow in the northeast is leading to slow moving thunderstorms this afternoon,” the Bureau warns.

“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Vertigo MTB shop manager Tom Gibson said it had been raining heavily but it was starting to subside.

“We’ve had a lot of rain, it was heavy for about an hour and there’s a lot of water about,” he said.

“It hasn’t affected the shop yet but we’ve got a few holes in the roof which are leaking.

“We’ve run the shuttle bus as usual but there’ll be some riders who are fairly wet.”

Mr Gibson is optimistic there will be no serious flooding.

“It has been fairly dry and the water is really soaking in really well on the trails,” he said.

Hobart nurse Erin McColl, who is on a three-day visit to St Helens with a friend from New Zealand, said while the rain had stopped it had been continuous.

“It pretty much rained all night,” she said.

“And up until now there has been thunder and lightning and heavy rain.

“We have been stuck inside all day watching TV and watching the rain.

“The sky still looks very grey, and there is still thunder.”

The bureau advises that 35mm has fallen in one hour to 12:45pm at St Helens Aerodrome.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
• Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
• For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500.

Originally published as Tasmania weather: Severe thunderstorms prompt flash flooding warning for East Coast