Hope and Anchor pub patrons stranded for an hour as they wait for floodwater to recede

A QUICK beer after a show turned into an adventure for a group of Hobart friends who became stranded when the city street suddenly became a raging torrent. WATCH THE VIDEO

A QUICK beer after a show turned into an adventure for a group of Hobart friends who became stranded when the street suddenly became a raging torrent.

Liam O’Donovan said he and some mates had been to a show at the Theatre Royal and stopped by the Hope and Anchor for a beer and a chat afterwards, about 10pm.

After about half an hour, the group prepared to leave but was unable to.

“We went to walk outside and quite literally couldn’t,” Mr O’Donovan said.

The Hobart Rivulet had burst its banks, causing flash flooding in the area.

Flooding on Campbell and Macquarie streets, near the Hope and Anchor Tavern. Picture: GEORGE VICKERS

Mr O’Donovan said he and his friends, along with other patrons, waited for 45 minutes to an hour for the floodwaters to recede.

“[There was] no exit that we could get out of,” he said.

Mr O’Donovan said there was a feeling of disbelief among the patrons stranded in the pub.

“We were all just in awe of the magnitude of what was happening,” he said.

He said he saw four cars floating along Market Place.