Severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and flooding for eastern Tasmania

UPDATED: The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and flooding. Two towns have already copped more than 60mm of rain each since last night.

A SEVERE weather warning has been issued for Tasmania’s east and Midlands with heavy rainfall and flooding tipped.

Thunderstorms on Friday night and early Saturday brought localised heavy rain to parts of northeastern Tasmania, with the biggest falls recorded at St Patricks Head (77mm) and Gray (64mm) near St Marys.

The weather bureau says more widespread rainfall is expected in the east on Sunday.

Weather bureau meteorologist Debbie Tabor says a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall has been issued for the East Coast and parts of the North East and Midlands areas.

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She says 20 to 50mm is possible in the southeast, with higher totals likely in elevated areas.

“Some locally heavy falls of 50 to 100mm are expected about the eastern districts, but also pushing into eastern parts of the Midlands,” Ms Tabor said.

She said high swells and strong wind were forecast down the eastern seaboard.

The bureau said a low-pressure centre generating rain in the east would move to the state’s northeast on Sunday, with thunderstorms possible.

A flood watch is current for the north, east and southeast parts of the state. A moderate flood warning has been issued for the South Esk river, and a minor flood warning has been issued for the North Esk.