WEATHER: Wet n wild conditions to die down across Tassie

The chaotic weather this week has caused road blockages from fallen objects, flooding and power outages, but a meteorologist has assured Tasmanians milder conditions are on the way. LATEST WARNINGS + ROAD CLOSURES >>

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The chaotic weather this week has caused road blockages from fallen objects, flooding and power outages, but a meteorologist has assured Tasmanians milder conditions are on the way.

Ford Rd at Brighton was closed amid flooding on Saturday afternoon.

The right lane on the southern outlet was also closed after large rocks rolled onto the road near The Lea on Saturday. The lane was reopened after 7:30pm.

Police could not confirm if bad weather was the cause.

But Bureau of Meteorology Tasmania meteorologist Michael Conway said a low pressure system which brought cold and rainy weather to the state has moved away from Tasmania and into the Tasman Sea.

Road Closure. Ford Road, Brighton. Picture Eddie Safarik

“We’re going to get a period of light winds the next couple of days as a high pressure ridge comes over the state and it becomes more settled,” he said.

Mr Conway said there were still weather warnings in place for Monday.

“We have moderate flood warnings for the South Esk River, Meander River, Macquarie River and a minor warning for the Jordan River,” he said.

Road Closure. Ford Road, Brighton. Picture Eddie Safarik

The eastern half of the state also had a minor flood watch for Monday.

Mr Conway said the incoming high pressure ridge would see winds drop off.

“There will still be a few patchy showers in the north Monday Tuesday,” he said. “On Wednesday and Thursday the trough will pick up the rainfalls over the state, especially into the north on Wednesday and into the south on Thursday.”

In Hobart, Mr Conway said Monday and Tuesday will be cloudy and 14C with light winds, plus a chance of patchy morning fog on Tuesday.

Crash on the Midland Highway

12:30pm Sunday, June 13:

Five people have been injured in a crash, as heavy rain and flood warnings see authorities urge locals to be careful on our roads.

A Mazda station wagon and Ford station wagon crashed on the Midland Hwy, Kempton about 9.45am on Sunday.

Police and emergency services responded to assist the 80-year-old male Ford car driver who had moderate injuries, and the 48-year-old male Mazda driver and his three passengers, who each sustained minor injuries.

“The occupants of all vehicles were provided medical care at the crash scene and later transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital for observation,” Tasmania Police said.

“The cause of the crash is being investigated.”

The incident caused minor delays with traffic diverted through Kempton.

Tasmania Police thanked the public for their support and patience and reminded motorists to stay safe and “heighten their awareness” on the road during the ongoing wet weather.

Days of rain considered ‘unusual’ by the weather bureau

10am Sunday, June 13:

Days of persistent rainfall across the state’s east has been considered unusual by the Bureau of Meteorology, and there’s more to come, with more rain predicted today.

The rainy conditions continued on Saturday across the east, northeast, bringing an additional 2-25 mm in the East.

“These conditions are more often observed in the west, where westerly winds slam rainfall into the west coast,” the Bureau of Meteorology said.

“The persistent rain is being directed onto the east by south-easterly winds on the southern flank of a low pressure system to the northeast of Tasmania.”

The Bureau said it’s expected to slowly move away over the Tasman Sea on Sunday.

Showers are expected with 2-15mm predicted for the east and south.

Mt Victoria recorded the highest rainfall of 151mm, In the 72 hours to 9am on Saturday.

The bureau said the rainfall resulted in low cloud and poor visibility on roads in the east and southeast.

A road alert issued on Saturday afternoon warned of slippery roads and fog for Sunday morning for parts of the North East, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East.

A moderate flood warning was also issued for the South Esk and Macquarie rivers, and a

Minor Flood Warning is current for the Jordan River, with a flood watch in place for eastern catchments.

Police said the right lane on the southern outlet was closed after large rocks rolled onto the road near The Lea.

The lane was reopened after 7:30pm.

Flood watch for eastern half of Tasmania

8.30am Friday, June 11:

A near stationary low pressure system to the northeast of Tasmania will bring persistent rainfall to eastern parts over the next few days.

Most catchments in the east, southeast and central areas are still relatively dry. Other areas are relatively wet from recent rainfall.

In the 24 hours to 9am Thursday, widespread rainfall totals of 5-15mm were recorded, with isolated higher totals in northeast elevated areas, including 50mm at St Patricks Head.

⚠️ #Minor#Flood Warning issued for #NorthEsk river for Friday. 20-40 mm rain forecast, with isolated higher falls possible at elevations. See https://t.co/V9LYfDAYDq for details and updates; follow advice from @SESTasmania. #TasFloodspic.twitter.com/0ddKzkDiGB

— Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania (@BOM_Tas) June 10, 2021

Forecast three-day rainfall totals (Thursday to Saturday) for eastern parts of Tasmania are 20-40mm widespread, 50-70mm northeast and around 120mm northeast coastal ranges.

The Bureau says strong river rises are expected in response to forecast rainfall, with minor to moderate flooding to develop at some locations from Thursday evening.

Localised flooding is also possible in areas that receive heavy rainfall during Thursday and Friday.

Strong and dangerous flows may be a hazard over the next couple of days.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

• Furneaux Islands
• North Esk River
• South Esk River
• Macquarie River
• East Coastal Rivers (north of Bicheno)
• Ringarooma River
• North Coastal Rivers
• Tamar (Launceston)
• Huon River
• Channel Coastal Rivers (South East Cape to Gordon)
• Derwent River (including Ouse and Clyde)
• Jordan River
• Coal River
• East Coastal Rivers (south of Bicheno)
• South East

A Sheep graziers warning is also current, with cold temperatures, heavy rain and showers and south-easterly winds are expected during Friday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the North East and East Coast forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

A tree down on Winkleigh Road. Photo: Aaron Olner

Road closures

Winkleigh Road is currently closed from Crawford Road to Glengarry Road until approximately 7am on 10th June 2021. Tree over road.

Denamns Road, Flowerly Gully – Tree over road

Tasman Highway between Forest Lodge Road (Pynegana) and Gladstone Road turn-off. This is due to the current extreme weather conditions, trees over the road and clean up of those fallen trees by Stornoway. Stornoway will assess and advise when the road will be reopened.

Motorists are urged to take care on all Tasmanian roads and to drive to the weather conditions.

Highway crash blocks traffic

7.45am Friday, June 11:

The Bass Highway crash is blocking traffic in both directions. Traffic diversions are in place.

Devonport bound traffic will be diverted onto Oaks Road and onto Meander Valley Road, through Hagley.

Launceston bound traffic will be diverted from the Highway onto Meander Valley Road through Hagley.

Tragedy: Yachtie thrown in water as dinghy flipped

A SMALL community on the state’s North has been shaken by the drowning of a local man, who died after his dinghy flipped in rough conditions.

One resident described it as “a tragic incident that should never have happened.”

The 66-year-old man and his wife, both experienced sailors, travelled out about 200m on Wednesday afternoon in an inflatable dinghy to secure their 30 foot yacht which had been moored in the Tamar River at the town of Deviot.

Inspector Ruth Orr said they noticed from their home that it had potentially broken its mooring.

“The lady involved safely moved from the dinghy onto the yacht. The couple were in the process of securing the dinghy to the yacht so that the man concerned could do the same,” Inspector Orr said.

“It appears in all likelihood, due to the weather conditions at the time, that the dinghy has flipped while they’re in the process of attempting to secure it and that’s thrown the man into the water.”

The area of the Tamar River at Deviot where a 66-year-old man drowned. Picture: Rosemary Murphy

In the choppy conditions and with a strong south easterly wind the man and the dinghy were dragged some distance further north from the yacht.

His wife phoned for assistance, and police and other members of the public arrived a short time later.

Police retrieved the man from the water and he was unresponsive.

Despite the best efforts of responders they were unable to revive him.

The man had been wearing a personal flotation device and it is believed he was in the water for about 10 minutes.

“They obviously made a decision to go out and try and secure the boat themselves … it’s unfortunate and tragic, in this case, that the man has lost his life while doing that,” Inspector Orr said.

A local couple whose home overlooks the area where the incident occurred said they noticed the yacht had drifted from where it should have been.

“I looked out and said ‘that’s unusual, it shouldn’t be there, it’s not usually there’, that’s what drew our attention, why I grabbed the binoculars,” the man said.

“There was a lady on yacht and there was someone going around in a white blow up dinghy,” he said.

They said they did not witness the dinghy flip or the rescue operation.

“The only thing we saw was somewhere around [7pm], when there was a search light working there,” he said.

The rough and windy conditions continued on Thursday, with locals expressing concern for anyone out on the water.

The area of the Tamar River at Deviot where a 66-year-old man drowned. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins).

“It’s really a tragedy that something like that could happen, the conditions were really bad that day and it hasn’t really let up, it’s scary to see anyone out there,” a local resident said.

“Regardless of your experience, your knowledge, your capability and capacity in operating boats and watercraft you do need to be mindful and take heed of weather warnings,” Inspector Orr said.

The dinghy washed up on shore a short way away and the yacht was towed to Beauty Point wharf and secured there.

A report will be prepared for the coroner and Marine and Safety Tasmania.