Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania
Initial Minor Flood Warning for the River Derwent
Issued at 4:39pm on Friday 6 December 2019
Flood Warning Number: 1
Minor flooding may develop along the lower River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam during Saturday morning. Flooding is not expected to extend downstream to Macquarie Plains and New Norfolk during Saturday.
In the 24 hours to 9 am Friday, widespread rainfall totals between 5-30 mm were observed in the River Derwent catchment, with isolated higher totals up to 52 mm at King William Creek.
Widespread rainfall totals of 10-20 mm are forecast for the remainder of Friday and 20-30 mm forecast for Saturday, with higher totals possible in elevated areas. No significant rainfall is forecast for Sunday.
River levels are high in the upper Derwent, Florentine, Tyenna, Styx and Plenty Rivers.
Strong and dangerous flows will be a hazard over the next couple of days.
River Derwent above River Ouse:
Strong river rises are occurring in the upper River Derwent and its tributaries.
River Derwent above Meadowbank Dam:
Strong river rises are expected in the middle reaches of the River Derwent from Friday evening.
Tyenna River:
River level rises are occurring in the Tyenna River.
Styx River:
River level rises are occurring in the Styx River. The Styx River at Bruces Bridge is currently 1.68 m and rising (minor flood level 2.0 m). Additional rises are likely during Saturday.
River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam:
Minor flooding may occur along the River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam.
The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is currently at 2.47 metres and rising. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam may exceed the minor flood level (4.10 m) Saturday morning.
The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is currently at 1.40 metres and steady. The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is expected to remain below the minor flood level (4.00 m) during Saturday.
Flood Safety Advice:
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.tas.gov.au
Road closure information is available at www.police.tas.gov.au
For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.
For life threatening situations, call 000 immediately.
Next Issue:
The next warning will be issued by 10am on Saturday 07 December 2019.
Latest River Heights:
| Location | Height of River (m) | Tendency | Date/Time of Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Derwent below Lake St Clair | 2.32 | Steady | 03:00 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| River Ouse at Ashton | 0.21 | Steady | 04:00 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| River Ouse at 3B Weir | 0.59 | Steady | 03:30 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| River Clyde at Bothwell | 0.07 | Steady | 03:00 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam | 2.47 | Rising | 04:15 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| River Derwent at Macquarie Plains | 1.40 | Steady | 04:07 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| Tyenna River at Newbury | 0.94 | Steady | 03:00 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| Styx River at Bruces Bridge | 1.68 | Rising | 04:24 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
| River Derwent at New Norfolk | 0.80 | Rising | 04:28 PM FRI 06/12/19 |
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 210. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/flood. The latest weather forecast is available at www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts.
