Wild weather lashes state’s North as rivers flood, towns are evacuated and storm warnings mount
ROLLING UPDATES, GALLERY, VIDEO: AUTHORITIES are considering closing the Midland Highway as flood waters encroach on the national highway. Two elderly people are still missing as flood chaos hits the state.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE 5.30pm: Authorities are considering closing the Midland Highway as flood waters encroach on the national highway.
Police said a local dam near the town of Tunbridge, 27km south of Campbell Town, could overflow and affect the highway.
Major flood warnings are in place for five rivers in Tasmania.
Acting SES director Nick Wilson said Latrobe in the state’s North-West was the worst affected area.
Twenty homes and 15 businesses have been inundated there by flood waters. Fifty homes in the Launceston suburb of Newstead have been inundated.
The search for two people missing in flood waters at Ouse and Latrobe have been suspended and will be resumed at first light.
MORE: TWO MISSING IN FLOOD CHAOS
UPDATE 3.35pm: CURRENT weather conditions have been described as worse than those during Tasmania’s deadliest floods on record.
However SES Northern Region manager Mhairi Revie said advances in technology meant the threat was much lower than that posed by the 1929 floods, which killed 22 people and injured 40. See the video below from the State Archives of the 1929 floods
“Certainly for the North Esk the levels and flows we are seeing ... are much higher than the 1929 flood but things are very different on the floodplains and in our arrangements since the ’29 flood.
“We’ve got levies in place ... and those levies are going to stand in this situation.
“There is no risk at this point in time of an Invermay flood or an evacuation of Invermay residents.”
Eight levee gates have been closed around Launceston as part of the city’s $58 million flood protection system.
Search and rescue operation for two missing elderly people in Ouse and Latrobe are continuing.
UPDATE 3.15pm: POLICE Minister Rene Hidding has urged cautioned around floodwaters and said the full resources of the government were ready to tackle Tasmania’s flood disaster.
“Can I call on all Tasmanians to be absolutely responsible in the coming days. There is no circumstances where anybody should risk their lives,” he said today in Launceston.
“Don’t try to take nature on – it leads to tragedy. We already have grave fears for two of our fellow citizens and we pray for them.
“There is simply no case to enter flood waters with a motor vehicle or in person.”
UPDATE 3.10pm: THE Bureau of Meteorology has issued a major flood warning for the Meander River region.
Major flooding is developing along the Meander River now. Some properties in these areas are likely to become isolated and/or inundated by flood waters.
The SES has commenced evacuating affected residents, with an evacuation centre now operating at the Deloraine Recreation Centre, Alverston Drive.
Communities likely to be affected include Deloraine, Reedy Marsh, Exton, Westbury, Selbourne, Quamby Bend, Hagley and Westwood.
UPDATE 2.55pm: MAJOR flooding at Ouse has seen residents evacuated to a community centre in New Norfolk.
The SES has warned that floodwaters threaten to isolate and inundate properties in the area.
The Ouse River is expected to exceed the major flood level this afternoon and police have closed the Lyell Highway at Ouse.
The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is expected to reach major flood levels tomorrow morning affecting communities at Meadowbank, Gretna, Glenora, Bushy Park, Macquarie Plains, Rosegarland, Hayes, and Plenty.
“Flood waters are a threat to public safety. Livestock, equipment and crops in the Lower Derwent Valley are likely to be threatened by flood waters,” an SES statement said.
“Driving conditions may be dangerous.”
UPDATE 2.10pm: PUBLIC health authorities are warning the public about the risks of contact with floodwaters that may be contaminated by sewage overflows and animal waste.
Parts of Tasmania’s ageing sewerage infrastructure is particularly vulnerable during flood events.
Acting director of Public Health Dr Mark Veitch said dirty water, mud and silt from floods can cause a range of conditions, including gastro and skin and soft-tissue infections.
“Where possible people should avoid contact with floodwaters,” he said.
“If you do come into contact with floodwaters wash your hands and change any contaminated clothing, particularly before preparing or eating food.”
“Cuts and scratches picked up in a flood-affected area should be cleaned immediately and covered to avoid infection.
“You need to seek medical attention if any such cut becomes painful and red, and if you develop a fever.
“And make sure your immunisations, especially tetanus, are up-to-date.”
Dr Veitch said people who lived where a boil water alert was in place and who could not boil water because of a power failure should not consume the water.
He said these people should use an alternate source like bottled water.
“If you can boil your water, you should boil enough to last through anticipated power outages.
“Also boil your water before use if you notice your water is unusually discoloured.”
Dr Veitch said mud brought in by floodwaters made surfaces slippery and falls were common in flood clean-ups.
People should wear appropriate clothing and footwear if cleaning up in flood-affected areas.
Public Health has issued a temporary boil water alert for National Park, including National Park, Westerway and Fentonbury, Rocky Creek and Colebrook.
For more information on temporary boil water alerts visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au
UPDATE 1.10pm: The SES has opened a fourth evacuation centre in the state’s North.
The opening of the centre in Deloraine comes as authorities warn of flash flooding risk on the East Coast.
The SES has doorknocked 100 homes in the Launceston suburb of Newstead advising residents about the major flooding in the North Esk River.
Latrobe, where an elderly woman is missing after her home was inundated, is currently experiencing severe flooding and the SES is evacuating properties as required.
Major flooding is expected to develop in the South Esk and Meander rivers.
Severe weather warnings and flood warnings are active for all major river basins in a line from Swansea to Strahan.
Evacuation centres have been set up at:
Launceston – Albert Hall, corner Cimitere and Tamar streets
Wynyard – Railway Institute Hall, Station Street (back of airport)
East Devonport – East Devonport Recreation Ground, Caroline Street
Deloraine – Deloraine Community Centre, Alverston Drive, Deloraine
The flooding is being described as worse than the major floods that hit Launceston in 1929.
UPDATE 1.10pm: EMERGENCY services are evacuating the Launceston suburb of Newstead.
Newstead residents between Birch Avenue and Hoblers Bridge Road are being asked to relocate to a place of safety.
An evacuation centre is open at the Albert Hall, Launceston (corner of Cimitiere and Tamar streets).
Police urge people evacuating to take medicines, valuables, documents, a change of clothes, mobile phone and charger, toiletries and pets (preferably in cage), and register with the council.
Emergency information can be found on the TasALERT website.
UPDATE 12.45pm: RESIDENTS of flooded houses along the Mersey River at Latrobe are being rescued from their homes by helicopter and boat as the search for a missing woman continues.
More rescues are expected with dozens of homes affected as floodwaters keep rising.
Eric Downward, his wife Margaret and visiting grandson and two family dogs were airlifted from their house on Railton Rd.
Mr Downward said his home was completely swamped and they had no choice but to go.
Meanwhile a search for a woman missing from a house in Shale Rd continues.
The woman’s husband was rescued through the roof of the house but his wife could not be found.
A number of motorists have also been plucked from the roofs of cars as they tried to traverse Mersey Rd.
Latrobe’s main street is closed and about 50 businesses have been flooded.
UPDATE 12.25pm: RSPCA Tasmania has urged all animal owners to ensure the safety of themselves and their animals as extreme weather conditions affect the state.
“We are aware of a few locations that, due to flooding and owners not being able to get to them in time, livestock are in difficulty,” RSPCA Tasmania CEO Peter West said.
“All our centres and our animal cruelty hotline are getting calls from concerned community members asking us to take action and help animals already in flood affected areas.”
RSPCA Tasmania acknowledges that if animals have already entered swollen rivers due to flooding then it is most likely that nothing can be done safely to help them.
“SES and Tasmania Police are the best first responders in these instances – our staff and volunteers are aware of the situation and each of our animal care centres stand ready to assist any lost or displaced animals.”
RSPCA Tasmania urges all Tasmanians to consider their own safety first and to leave anything dangerous to those that are trained to deal with it, such as the SES or police.
UPDATE 12pm: SECTIONS of the Murchison Highway in the state’s North-West have been closed due to a landslide.
The Murchison Highway between Oonah and Fingerpost is closed until until further notice, police said.
UPDATE 12.10pm: GREAT Lake Hotel on the Central Plateau has been inundated with water, with hotel owner Kaylee Hattinger saying over 130mm has been received since yesterday morning.
She said rain had poured around the nearby hills and into Great Lake, with more expected.
UPDATE 12pm: DELORAINE residents are preparing for the Meander River flood peak to hit the town about 3pm.
Several houses in River Rd already have water lapping around their windows.
From the Bass Highway a mob of sheep can be seen stranded on a high spot in a paddock.
On the Bass highway at Westbury a car is stranded in the middle of the highway.
Local sources say the caravan park was evacuated on Sunday night and a second operation with tractors happened at 3am. The town has many sightseers snapping photos of floods that haven’t been seen for many years.
UPDATE 11.45am: BRUTAL weather has forced TasRail to suspended all train operations as a precautionary measure.
TasRail CEO Damien White said the disruption to customers was regrettable, but the safe operation of rail services was paramount.
“While heavy rain is continuing to fall across the state, the rail network appears to be withstanding the flood conditions reasonably well, but there are a number of areas, particularly on the North-West Coast where water levels are a concern,” he aid.
UPDATE 11.30am: TasNetworks has reported that 3640 home are now without power, down from the 4200 reported at 9am.
UPDATE 11.25am: RACT Insurance has urged Tasmanian policyholders to get in touch if they are affected by severe weather and flooding.
“We have ensured our local claims staff and services are positioned and ready to respond if required,” RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said.
“RACT Insurance is urging all policyholders who are affected by any flash flooding or high winds to call 13 27 22 and lodge a claim as soon as possible.
“The sooner customers lodge their claims, the sooner we can go about assessing and fixing the damage caused by the conditions.”
UPDATE 11.20am: Tasmania’s wild weather, which is causing flooding in the northern half of the state, is extremely unusual, weather experts say.
Forecaster Anna Forrest said she hasn’t seen anything like in two decades at the Bureau of Meteorology.
“Particularly not this time of year. It’s not typical in winter,” she said.
A damaging surf warning remains in place for the entire East Coast
“And you could see inundation especially around river mouths,” she said.
The wild surf is been driven by weather flows from NSW, which is causing large swells and significant wave heights that are expected to last until tomorrow.
The heavy surf is threatening damage and coastal erosion for the East Coast from the northern tip of Flinders Island to Tasman Island. The BOM warns beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas. Effects are likely to be exacerbated by high tides, expected between 10pm and 11pm at St Helens, and around 9pm for the lower East Coast.
UPDATE 11.10am: THE Latrobe Council is bussing residents to an evacuation centre in East Devonport as flood waters continue to rise.
The council is pleading with residents to obey signage and not to drive through flooded roads.
In nearby Forth, State Emegency Service personnel wait anxiously to see if three shipping containers rushing down the river head towards Traffic Bridge.
Authorities fear the bridge will be damaged by the pressure of the impact.
Water is more than a metre deep on the road leading to Wilmot with a strong current and the area is closed to both cars and foot traffic.
UPDATE 11.05am: Locals near the Mt Field National Park have told the Mercury that the Tyenna River is rising due to heavy rain and could break its banks.
UPDATE 10.59am: SES advice on flooding:
• Do not drive, walk, swim or cycle through flood waters
• Do not allow children to play near flood waters, drains or culverts and supervise them at all times
• Drive to the conditions – if you don’t need to drive in the wet, preferably stay indoors
• Do not go to the beach until this weather system has cleared.
• Farmers and graziers in forecast-affected areas are advised to move stock and agricultural equipment to higher ground
• Ensure that drains and gutters are clear of debris and are running freely
• Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment (i.e. trampolines are a frequent issue in high winds)
• Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings
• Be prepared in case of power outages
• Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving
• For flood and storm emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500.
UPDATE 10.40am: THE Bureau of Meteorology has issued a new severe weather warning.
Heavy rain that may lead to flash flooding is forecast for the North-East, East Coast and South-East forecast districts.
A very moist northeasterly airstream has brought exceptionally heavy rain and damaging winds to the northern half of Tasmania. The heavy rain and damaging winds are now easing in the North and North-West, but will continue in the East and extend to the South-East as a trough slowly moves over the state.
Damaging winds around 50km/h with gusts of 90km/h are forecast for the East and South-East, east of a line from Eddystone Point to Maatsuyker Island. The strong winds will gradually contract towards the southeast.
The heaviest rainfall is expected to be along the East Coast and adjacent inland areas, and elevated areas elsewhere. For the remainder of the day, rainfall totals of 50mm to 80mm are expected in those areas, with well in excess of 100mm possible around windward coasts and elevated areas in the east.
Damaging winds and heavy rainfall are no longer occurring in the North-West Coast, Central North and Central Plateau forecast districts, but moderate rainfall is expected to continue throughout the day. Significant flooding is still expected for some rivers in that area so please see relevant flood warnings.
UPDATE 10.35am: LOCALS overlooking the village of Forth surveying damage to vegetable processor Harvest Moon and nearby houses say cows were seen floating in floodwaters further upstream.
All road into Forth have been closed and the popular recreation ground camping spot was evacuated last night.
People have also been told to try and leave the town of Railton further east bit it is understood most residents have decided to stay.
Railton has power and communications unlike to neighbour Sheffield, which has been blacked out with no power or telephone services.
There has been a landslide at Wilmot and the road to Palooma Dam could soon disintegrate.
The remote mountain town of Lorinna has been completely cut off with no roads open in or out.
UPDATE 10.27am: A flood warning has been put in place for Ouse with teports of impending rising rivers and several road closures occurring in the area.
UPDATE: 10.23am: The Education Department advises that a number of schools are closed today because of the wild storms:
Avoca Primary, Bracknell Primary, Deloraine High, Deloraine Primary, Dunalley Primary, Forth Primary, Hagley Farm, Lilydale District, Mole Creek Primary, Scottsdale High, Sheffield School including the Railton campus, St Marys District, Table Cape Primary, Tasman District, Waverley Primary, Wilmot Primary.
A number of LINCs and libraries are also closed in: Latrobe, St Helens, St Marys, Wilmot and Westbury.
The Bureau of Meteorology is also reporting an earthquake near Smithton:
Magnitude 3.0 #Earthquake near Smithton, TAS has been felt. No #tsunami threat https://t.co/eUaVPYiuwc pic.twitter.com/9Tuvn0GT1o
— BOM Australia (@BOM_au) June 5, 2016
UPDATE 10.20am: MAJOR flooding is occurring in the Mersey River at Kimberley and significant flooding has been observed around Latrobe, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
River levels are expected to continue rising today, possibly exceed previous flood peaks.
The Mersey River catchment has received rainfalls of up to 280mm in the 24 hours to 9am, adding to the 120mm of rain in the previous 24 hours.
Further rainfall totals have been highest about elevated areas, near Lake Mackenzie.
UPDATE 10.10am: RESIDENTS around Launceston are being evacuated as floods hit northern parts of the state.
Some homes have been inundated, particularly around Westbury in the Meander Valley, the SES said.
Evacuation centres have been set up at the Albert Hall in Launceston and in Devonport.
A pedestrian was hit by a car on Cimitiere St, Launceston, about 9.30am.
Tasmania Police urged people in flood affected areas, particularly in the North-West, to avoid driving today if possible.
Ambo considers same thing. Reconsiders. This isn't where the riverbank should be.#BigWetTas #Launceston #tasweather pic.twitter.com/Sh99T2KtWb
— Sir Render Monkey (@yinyangman69) June 5, 2016
Don't think the boat ramp is meant to be that shape. #AvantGarde. #BigWetTas #Launceston #Tamar pic.twitter.com/ab14JL3glC
— Sir Render Monkey (@yinyangman69) June 6, 2016
Meander Valley Mayor Craig Perkins has urged residents to be vigilant in the wild weather.
“People should just take care and not go out if they don’t have to,” he said.
An evacuation centre at Deloraine is on standby but has not been activated yet.
UPDATE 9.50am: A MAJOR Tasmanian transport business has lost a dozen trucks and other equipment as flood waters inundated River Rd in the Burnie industrial suburb of Wivenhoe.
Dr Bruyn’s Transport also lost 10 forklifts as flood waters swamped it and surrounding businesses.
Shipping containers floated down the road — on the banks of the Emu River — and logs from upstream created a dam which stopped water flowing. A rail bridge has also been compromised and a fuel line cut.
“We have been here almost 40 years and have never seen anything like it,” owner John de Bruyn said as he surveyed the damage.
He has jobs to do but his surviving trucks are on the south side of the impassable river.
“We moved some vehicles to higher ground but overnight the water rushed in to windscreen height.” The river is expected to swell further at high tide at 12pm.
9am: TASMANIANS in flood-affected areas have been asked to avoid driving today because of continuing heavy rain, particularly in the state’s North-West.
Tasmania Police have urged motorists to obey road closures with another eight roads closed this morning, bringing the total to 60.
“Motorists should not attempt to enter onto roadways where these signs are displayed and are warned that they may place themselves and others at risk by doing so,” police said.
“Already emergency services have had to rescue people trapped in cars after attempting to drive through flooded roads.”
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast heavy rainfall and damaging winds across the state today, with a northeasterly airstream contracting to the East Coast as a trough slowly moves over the state.
Heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding is forecast for the Central North, North-East, East Coast and South-East forecast districts and parts of the North-West Coast, Central Plateau and Midlands forecast districts.
Up to 100mm of rain is forecast for the North-East today, with 20-60mm forecast for the South.
Winds of around 50km/h with peak gusts of 90km/h are forecast for the Furneaux Islands, North-East and East Coast forecast districts and parts of the Midlands and South-East districts.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a heavy surf warning for the North-East, East Coast and Furneaux Islands, which could cause coastal erosion. People are advised to keep away from the surf.
Since 9am yesterday 228mm of rainfall was reported at Fisher River on the Central Plateau, 200mm at Iris River and Lake Gwendy, and 185mm at Sheffield.
As of this morning, 4200 homes around the state are without power, with 1612 homes affected in the Tasman Peninsula area.
The State Emergency Service warned the Mersey and Forth rivers on the North-West Coast were experiencing water rises more rapid than anticipated.
Residents in the areas of Kimberley, Railton, Latrobe, Forth and surrounding areas may experience flooding.
There is flood warning in place for the Meander River at Deloraine, which is expected to peak between 3.40=m-3.7m by this afternoon, and on the Mersey River from Kimberley to Latrobe.
Other warnings are in place for the North and South Esk rivers, Macquarie River, and further up the Derwent River above Ouse River and below Meadowbank Dam.
The SES said rivers would continue to rise during the day.
Areas of Wynyard experienced severe weather and some residents have needed to relocate from their properties.
The Emu River at Wivenhoe has burst its banks with inundation reported in the industrial area.
The SES advises the following evacuation centres have been opened for those people requiring shelter:
EAST Devonport Recreation Ground.
CAROLINE St, East Devonport.
RAILWAY Institute Hall.
STATION St (behind the Airport).
Lifeline for old inner-city private hospital as future of site revealed
There was uproar from patients when St Helen’s Private Hospital closed - but now it is set to be given a new lease on life. Future of the site >>>
‘Strength and conviction’: Unionist and environmentalist remembered
Paul Blake, an environmentalist and union leader, was “loved by everyone”. Read the tribute.