SEVERE WEATHER WARNING | INTENSE RAINFALL & DAMAGING WINDS – 13-14 Oct

For people in Furneaux Islands, North East, North West Coast, Central North and parts of Western, South East, East Coast, Central Plateau and Midlands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 11:17 am Wednesday, 12 October 2022.

Heavy rainfall to impact northern Tasmania from Wednesday night with damaging wind gusts along the east coast.

Weather Situation: A deep low-pressure system south of the Great Australian Bight is forecast to extend a strong cold front over Tasmania during Thursday. This system is forecast to combine with a deep tropical airmass to cause widespread areas of heavy, locally intense rainfall over northern parts of the state. A vigorous northeasterly airstream is also expected to develop along the east coast during Thursday bringing the risk of locally damaging winds.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for northern Tasmania from overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 60 mm are likely. 24 hour rainfall totals during Thursday are expected to reach 70 to 120 mm, with isolated totals to 200 mm over higher terrain.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible over inland parts of northwest Tasmania during this period, particularly about the Western Tiers, with six-hourly intense rainfall totals to 100 mm, and 24hr totals in excess of 300 mm.

Saturated soils across Tasmania bring an increased risk of gusty winds toppling trees and powerlines.

Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

North to northeasterly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 95km/h are possible over the Western Tiers, the northeast highlands, the north coast east of Devonport, and the east and southeastern coasts developing during Thursday and becoming more likely into Thursday afternoon and evening. Winds are expected to ease during Friday morning.

A Flood Watch has been issued for catchments in the North West, North and North East, and Derwent. See http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Devonport, Burnie, Launceston, St Helens, Swansea and Strahan.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

Supervise children closely. Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings. Manage pets and livestock. Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment. Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004. Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving. Clear drains and gutters on premises prior to severe weather arriving. Do not walk, ride or drive through flood waters. Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice. For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.