Tasmania floods: Communities on alert as rivers rise | Forecast, warnings

Thousands gathered to the see the wild water roaring through Launceston as Tasmania’s significant flooding event continues. FOLLOW LIVE

While the flood situation is easing across Tasmania's north, authorities are warning there is still significant flooding occurring.

Follow all the latest in our live blog below and see all the photos from across the state here.

For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

Live Updates

8:46 am October 17, 2022 Highlight

Flood situation easing

Cas Garvey

The flood situation is easing across the north and north west as rivers slowly recede.

"There is still significant flooding and this will continue to subside over the coming days after the peak was reached on the South Esk River early on Sunday morning,” SES Acting Director Leon Smith said.

“The easing situation is reflected in the SES warnings – there are no current Emergency Warnings in effect. There are Watch and Act warnings current for Carrick to Blackstone Heights and Trevallyn Dam to Tailrace Park."

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a minor flood warning for the South Esk and the North Esk Rivers, which are both contributing to the flows in the kanamaluka/River Tamar.

People come to see the floodwaters flow through the Cataract Gorge in Launceston. Sunday October 16th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

Locations likely to be impacted are: River edge along the lower South Esk River from Trevallyn Dam to Royal Park, and river edge along the mouth of the North Esk and up to Tailrace Park along the kanamaluka/River Tamar.

“The SES has utilised ground crews, drones and a Special Intelligence Gathering Helicopter over the last few days to identify flood impacts across Tasmania,” Mr Smith said.

“They have identified damaged bridges, roads, homes, and other impacts. The information is being used by government agencies and municipal councils to support affected communities’ recovery from the event.

SES did not receive any new requests for assistance overnight, however SES crews were actively monitoring conditions along some of the rivers throughout the night and into this morning.

Road closures continue to be in place across impact areas due to flood and storm damage. Roads will remain closed, even if there is no water across them, until they have been assessed as safe.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised the weather situation has eased. However with some roads and bridges impacted, it’s important to 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.

4:40 pm October 16, 2022 Highlight

Premier speaks as possibility of more rain this week foreshadowed

Alex Treacy

Attention in Tasmania’s north is moving towards the clean-up after 96 hours of chaos, as the worst floods since 2016 wracked the state.

The centre of the flood activity moved eastwards on Sunday, with northwest rivers receding as their counterparts near Launceston continued to surge.

Several townships on the South Esk River, including Hadspen and Carrick, were issued prepare to evacuate notices in the morning, before the river peaked just after noon.

Meander River reached its peak in the early hours of Sunday morning before likewise receding.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the four days of flooding had resulted in “53 residences, 18 businesses and 21 community facilities” across the state becoming wholly or partially submerged.

“Clearly the flood has impacted many, many people,” he said.

Landslide on Poatina Rd, Poatina, which will see the road closed for several days. Picture: Facebook

“But we’re not out of the clear yet, there’s still a very unpredictable weather pattern. We could experience further rainfall over the course of the next few days.”

Red Brick Road Ciderworks owner Corey Baker told the Mercury the water came right up to the distillery and flooded the cellar, but they were lucky enough to only lose a “minor amount” of equipment.

This included a number of kegs which went floating down the Meander, which reached its peak of 8.53m at Westwood Bridge about 3am, before slowly receding throughout Sunday. Red Brick Road was able to reopen for business on Saturday.

Red Brick Road Ciderworks' Karina Dambergs with daughter Beatrix on Friday. Picture: Alex Treacy

“We were fortunate,” Mr Baker said.

Further down Highland Lakes Rd, other businesses are counting the swingeing costs of the flood.

Hugh MacLaine, owner of sawmill Maclaine Enterprises, told ACM his business may sustain a hit of up to $150,000, factoring in lost and damaged stock and equipment, and also an expected two–three week closure.

Lydia Gleeson, a long-term employee of Highland Haulage, said this week’s event blew 2016 out of the water.

Deloraine's Highland Haulage underwater on Friday. Picture: Lydia Gleeson.

“We thought the 2016 floods were bad… our yard, offices and sheds (all went) under,” she said.

“We are going okay, we have a lot of cleaning up to do. But we have had so much help from the community, we are very appreciative.”

3:34 pm October 16, 2022 Highlight

Commercial shipping returns to North-West port

Alex Treacy

TasPorts has reopened the Port of Devonport to commercial shipping. The port reopened at 2pm.

TasPorts chief operating officer Stephen Casey said the Port of Devonport has now received approval from the Harbour Master to affect the return of commercial shi ping in a way that both balances the urgency for reopening critical supply chains and passenger access with the need to ensure the safety of port users, vessels and port infrastructure.

“The enactment of our recovery plan, which has included confirmation of channel marker condition, repair of current profiler, and the removal of large amounts of visible debris (including trees) has prepared the Port of Devonport to the point where we can safely manage the passage of vessels,” Mr Casey said.

“That decision is based on the results of hydrographic surveys this morning.

“As a result, we are confident major obstacles have been removed from the shipping channel which means TasPorts can safely facilitate vessel movement.

“Accordingly, SeaRoad’s Liekut has been scheduled to commence arrival movement into the Port from 1400 today.

“There is further survey work at Spirit of Tasmania’s berth at 1 East scheduled for this afternoon and all being clear, she will commence arrival from 1600.

“Under current environmental conditions both vessels are required to depart on high tides.

“TasPorts will continue to monitor the port through hydrographic surveying,” he said.

The recovery operation on Saturday cleared the port of significant debris and
recreational vessels that broke from moorings during the peak of the flood. Specialist equipment was deployed in the port to remove obstructions including a significant one on the seabed in the middle of the shipping channel.

Commercial shipping within the Port of Devonport was suspended at 11.30am on Thursday 13 October. No further flooding is expected in the Mersey River catchment and other ports remained open to shipping.

1:35 pm October 16, 2022 Highlight

South Esk River alert remains as thousands flock to Gorge

Alex Treacy

Residents of South Esk River towns like Carrick and Hadspen are being urged to remain vigilant and to not enter floodwaters.

It comes as thousands of Launceston locals and visitors alike took in extraordinary scenes at Cataract Gorge, as water rocketed into the Tamar so swiftly it splashed the faces of walkers in the lower reaches.

The Birch family, from the Gold Coast, went to the gorge at about 11.30am.

Gold Coast's Birch family at Cataract Gorge. Picture: Grant Viney

"I've been holidaying here my entire life and I've never seen the gorge move so fast," said matriarch Kirby.

"It's pretty spectacular."

Riverside artist Jonathan Bowden, meanwhile, set up an easel to record in chalk the roiling water.

The South Esk River at Cataract Gorge. Picture: Grant Viney

He said he "invariably" found himself drawn to the South Esk when in flood and he recorded his observations, whether in chalk, oil or pastel, in "reverence".

Mr Bowden said the river was "close to the people".

"Families take their tiny little children here and they'll remember this for the rest of their life," he said.

Jonathan Bowden recording in chalk the roiling South Esk River. Picture: Grant Viney

12:13 pm October 16, 2022 Highlight

Hadspen on high alert but river receding

Alex Treacy

Hadspen locals were out in force this morning, checking out a heaving South Esk River which rose to claim the Lions Park Reserve.

TasALERT issued a Flood Watch and Act – Prepare to leave notice at 10.19am.

Locals spoken to by the Mercury did not seem overly concerned. On Main St, kids rode their bicycles and dogs submerged themselves in the turgid overflow.

Lyndon Schenk, 31, who has lived in Hadspen his whole life, said he had never seen the river higher.

Hadspen locals out in force on Sunday morning at the end of a flooded Main St. Picture: Alex Treacy

"It's crazy how quick it's come up, two days ago you could still get to the carpark (at Lions Park Reserve).

"We've never had an evacuation notice for Hadspen before, so it's a good chance for us to see how bad it is."

Jane McClarron took her two young boys Charlie and Elliott down to the river on their scooters.

"Charlie has been looking for fish in the water. He is convinced he has seen one," she said.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Luke Johnston told the Mercury the South Esk River reached its peak a short time ago.

"The good news is that it's slowly receding now, we're not expecting any escalation," he said.

"But there's still a lot of water around in the river systems."

The Meander River reached its peak of 8.53m about 3am this morning and was likewise receding.

7:34 am October 16, 2022 Highlight

Residents doorknocked as rivers rise

Cas Garvey

Some rivers in Tasmania's north are still rising as floodwaters move downstream as Tasmania’s significant flooding event continues.

While rivers are falling in the North West region, in the North floodwaters continue to make their way down the catchments and river rises are still occurring in the Meander, South Esk, and Macquarie Rivers.

Current areas of significant flooding are along the Meander River between Deloraine and Hadspen.

An emergency warning to Prepare to Evacuate is current for South Esk Drive and the river and between Bartley Street and the river.

SES and Police last night doorknocked the identified Hadspen residents and advised them to be prepared to evacuate if required.

Western District Police Commander Stuart Wilkinson, Minister Felix Ellis, Mayor Wayne Johnston and Acting Premier Michael Ferguson in Deloraine. Saturday October 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a moderate flood warning for the South Esk and a minor flood warning for the North Esk, both contributing to the flows in the kanamaluka/River Tamar.

Locations likely to be impacted are: River edge along the lower South Esk River from Trevallyn Dam to Royal Park, and river edge along the mouth of the North Esk and up to Tailrace Park along the kanamaluka/River Tamar.

SES acting director Leon Smith said floodwaters would continue to pose a threat for some time and it was expected to take several days before the floodwaters subside.

To date 53 residential, 17 businesses and 19 community facilities have been damaged by the floodwaters in the North and North West regions. Assessments are ongoing.

From midnight to 3pm on Saturday 15 October, the SES received 33 calls to 132 500, resulting in 4 Requests for Assistance.

Flooded oval at the Deloraine Football club in Deloraine.Saturday October 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

Road closures across impact areas due to flood and storm damage. See the full list here.

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

Tasmania Police is 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.

5:30 pm October 15, 2022 Highlight

Flood cleanup: Hundreds of properties inundated

Helen Kempton

UP to 500 properties may have been flooded across northern Tasmania in the ongoing emergency, modelling shows.
Acting Premier Michael Ferguson said the true numbers would be revealed in coming days as Tasmanians returned to their homes but modelling showed between 450-500 were in zones that were submerged by water since heavy rains began on Thursday.
“The weather is easing but I am warning against a belief that we can get back to normal life right now,” Mr Ferguson said before he toured affected properties in Deloraine on Saturday.
“Now can be the most dangerous time as people try to get back home to assess the damage.” Water is still surging through river systems – some of which are yet to peak.

Acting Premier Michael Ferguson addresses media at the press conference in Deloraine. Saturday October 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

The rivers being monitored are the North and South Esk which are still rising before they flow into the Tamar estuary.
That would happen over the next 36 hours, Mr Ferguson said on Saturday.
The impact on the agricultural sector is also yet to be assessed but he assured the community more support would come and the government would work with councils and Government Business Enterprises to gauge what needs to be done when the waters finally subside.
Western District Commander Stuart Wilkinson also said the risk was far from over and while most Tasmanians were doing the right thing in the flood emergency some rescues had been carried out.
“Do not assume that roads and other infrastructure that was there is still there,” he warned.

Western District Police Commander Stuart Wilkinson addresses media at the press conference in Deloraine. Saturday October 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

He said swift water rescues had needed to be carried out to get those who had chosen to stay in their properties, rather than leave as advised.
Commander Wilkinson said one car had also been lost when a driver decided to drive through floodwaters at Deloraine.
The Bureau of Meteorology said widespread flooding would continue across the northern half of Tasmania.
“Flood waters will continue to move downstream over the weekend in the Tamar River system. River levels in other catchments are easing,” the BOM said.
“The South Esk flood peak is approaching Perth and is expected to cause a second higher peak at Longford. Moderate flooding expected in lower South Esk and Trevallyn Pond as floodwaters from Macquarie, Meander and South Esk combine.
“Flooding in the lower South Esk is expected to continue through the weekend. “
Meander Valley Mayor Wayne Johnston, who is assessing the damage to his farm at Meander, said water was still flowing through to Carrick.
He questioned why the state-owned Meander Dam – which was full and spilling as the heavy rains started on Thursday – was not lowered through its relief valve.
Mr Johnston also visited the flooded football club at Deloraine on Saturday and said he wanted to see the $3.3m promised in 2019 to upgrade the club and surrounding oval and parklands come through so the area could be flood proofed.

2:07 pm October 15, 2022 Highlight

Prepare to Leave: Hadspen to Blackstone Heights

Cas Garvey

A Flood Watch and Act – Prepare to leave has been issued for Hadspen to Blackstone Heights and surrounds by Tasmania SES.
Based on combined flooding from the Meander and South Esk rivers, flood levels will keep rising during Saturday.
Locations likely to be impacted are: Hadspen, Westwood, Riverside, Travellers Rest, Blackstone Heights
Conditions will change within the next few hours. Monitor conditions as they are changing:
♒ Flooding is likely in streams and rivers.
♒ Lives could be at risk from flood waters.
♒ Some properties may become isolated or inundated by flood waters.
♒ Evacuation of some properties may be required.
♒ Property, livestock, equipment, and crops may be threatened by flood waters.
♒ Driving conditions may be dangerous.

What to do:
If you live in the alert area and/or near the lower Meander River and the lower South Esk River, SES advises:
♒ If you have a flood emergency plan, use it now.
♒ Prepare your property (if safe to do so). This may include:
♒ Placing furniture and possessions up high on tables/benches
♒ Move livestock and equipment to higher ground
♒ Preparing your emergency kit and being ready to leave

If conditions worsen and safe to do so, leave and go to the home of a family member or friend who is in a safe location away from the flood affected area.
Contact family, friends, and neighbours to alert them of the potential for flooding.

12:27 pm October 15, 2022 Highlight

Flood Watch and Act: St Marys to Longford

Cas Garvey

A Flood Watch and Act has been issued for St Marys to Longford and surrounds by Tasmania SES.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a moderate flood warning for the South Esk. Moderate flooding is expected at Perth, Longford and Lake Trevallyn.

Moderate flooding is continuing in the South Esk River catchment at Fingal and Llewellyn. Minor flooding is continuing in the Upper South Esk catchment around Mathinna and in the St Pauls River at Lewis Hill and above Avoca.

Locations likely to be impacted are: Mathinna, St Marys, Fingal, Avoca, Ormly, Hanleth, Conara, Epping Forest, Powranna, Nile, Evandale, Western Junction, Perth, Longford and surrounds.

From Saturday afternoon:
➡Flooding is likely in streams and rivers.
➡ Lives could be at risk from flood waters.
➡ Some properties may become isolated or inundated by flood waters.
➡ Evacuation of some properties may be required.
➡ Property, livestock, equipment, and crops may be threatened by flood waters.
➡ Driving conditions may be dangerous.

11:32 am October 15, 2022 Highlight

Railton residents begin the clean-up

Helen Kempton

Lifelong Railton Rd resident Ross Bramich is cleaning up again after floodwaters again swept through his house 😰🌧
While he accepts he lives in a flood prone area he has a message for Latrobe infrastructure planners: Extend the concrete Miles Ford Bridge right through the area to stop the raging Mersey River being blocked from flowing out to sea.

Railton Road resident Ross Bramich inspects the damage to his home.

Water has inundated his house again and mud has covered his floors up past the skirting boards.
“I grew up in this house and we have only had two really bad floods 2016 and again this week,“ Mr Bramich said.
“We got out Friday night but have returned to clean up, meet with the insurers and live in a caravan for a few weeks till we can move back in.
“You just know when it’s gonna be bad and we had lots of warning this time.
“We have lost some chooks but the horses got to higher ground.
“And while we accept we live in a flood prone area there are things that can be done. The big bridge itself needs to be extended and the smaller ones taken out so the water doesn’t back up and flood out Railton Rd.”