Tasmania weather: heavy rainfall and flash flooding forecasted for South

Authorities are warning Tasmanians of heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding as the State Emergency Services increase volunteers over the next 24 hours. FOLLOW THE LATEST >>

AUTHORITIES are warning Tasmanians to prepare for heavy rainfall and flash flooding as the State Emergency Services have increased volunteers over the next 24 hours.

Tasmania Fire Service and SES are urging people to be aware of the changing weather conditions as parts of the South are expected to have heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding and thunderstorms on Saturday evening.

Tasmania SES executive director Mick Lowe said the SES will continue to monitor the weather situation in Huonville, Geeveston, Kingborough and greater Hobart region of any flash flooding in the next 24 hours.

“There is a high level of variability with rainfall tonight as a result, SES has increased its preparedness across the state, and has both volunteers and staff ready to respond,” he said.

“We’ve activated our state and regional centres and our volunteers and staff have been moored out and are ready to respond to any calls through the evening.

Rainfall on Bureau of Meteorology radar.

“We ask the community to know your local area flood risk, have a plan and please don’t drive in floodwaters and don’t swim or wade in floodwaters.”

Meanwhile, a total fire ban Ban for Southern Tasmania will stay in effect until 2am on Sunday despite the level being reduced on Saturday evening because of forecasted rainfall.

While the state’s southern region has experienced a moderately hot summer, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecasted 20 to 40mm of rainfall.

“There’s possibility of some thunderstorms embedded in the rain band that forms around the low and that may enhance the rainfall to possibly give us heavy falls up to 50mm or perhaps slightly higher and especially on elevated areas with slopes facing South to East around the South East of the state,,” BOM meteorologist Michael Conway said.

Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Dermot Barry isn’t worried about thunderstorms causing any fires.

“There’s potential for thunderstorms, but we’re confident that those will be associated with rain so we don’t think we’ll get the dry lightning and if it’s a rain event, we hit the lightning and the risk of fire is pretty low,” he said.