Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania
Major Flood Warning for the River Derwent including Ouse and Clyde
Issued at 8:33pm on Friday 29 October 2021
Flood Warning Number 4: MAJOR FLOODING AT DERWENT BELOW MEADOWBANK. MODERATE FLOODING HAMILTON AND MACQUARIE PLAINS. MINOR FLOODING OUSE AND NEW NORFOLK
A peak near the major flood level is expected at Derwent Below Meadowbank Dam early Saturday morning. Moderate flooding is expected along River Clyde at Hamilton and Derwent at Macquarie Plains Saturday morning. Minor flooding is occurring at Ouse. Flooding is likely to extend downstream to New Norfolk.
In the 24 hours to 9am Friday widespread rainfall totals of 30-55 mm were recorded in the Derwent catchment with the highest total of 64mm recorded at Gowan Brae. Further falls of 5-20 mm have been recorded since 9am Friday. Rainfall has now eased Friday evening.
Strong and dangerous flows may be a hazard over the next couple of days.
River Derwent above River Ouse:
Strong river rises are occurring along the upper River Derwent above River Ouse during Friday evening.
River Ouse:
Minor flooding is occurring along the River Ouse. The River Ouse at Ashton peaked at 3.30 metres around 05:00 pm Friday 29 October and is currently at 3.15 metres and falling, above the minor flood level (2.40 m). The River Ouse at Ashton is expected to remain above the minor flood level (2.40 m) overnight Friday into Saturday.
Minor flooding is occurring along the River Ouse at Ouse and river levels are rising but nearing a peak (based on info from the nearby Ouse at 3B Weir station). The River Ouse at Ouse is likely to peak near 4.90 metres Friday night (below the moderate flood level of 5.20 m).
River Clyde:
Moderate flooding is expected along the River Clyde. The River Clyde at Bothwell peaked at 2.65 metres around 04:45 pm Friday 29 October and is starting to ease, with minor flooding. The River Clyde at Bothwell is expected to remain above the minor flood level (2.00 m) overnight Friday into Saturday.
No current water level is available for River Clyde at Hamilton. Based on upstream information the river is above the minor flood level (2.40 m) and rising. The River Clyde at Hamilton is expected to exceed the moderate flood level (3.50 m) Friday night. The river level may peak near 3.90 metres early Saturday morning.
River Derwent above Meadowbank Dam:
Strong river rises are occurring along the River Derwent above Meadowbank Dam Friday evening.
Tyenna River:
River rises are occurring along Tyenna River.
Styx River:
River rises are occurring along Styx River.
River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam:
Major flooding is expected along the River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is currently at 5.42 metres and steady, with minor flooding. The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (6.10 m) Friday evening. The river level is expected to peak between 7.00 and 7.30 metres early Saturday morning.
The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is currently at 1.75 metres and rising. The River Derwent at Macquarie Plains is expected to exceed the minor flood level (4.00 m) early Saturday morning. The river level is likely to peak near the moderate flood level (5.00 metres) late Saturday morning.
River Derwent around New Norfolk:
Minor flooding is likely along the River Derwent around New Norfolk. The River Derwent at New Norfolk is currently at 0.88 metres and steady. The River Derwent at New Norfolk may exceed the minor flood level (2.00 m) late Saturday morning. The river level is likely to peak near 2.10 metres early Saturday afternoon with the high tide.
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 7am on Saturday 30 October 2021.
Latest River Heights:
| Location | Height of River (m) | Tendency | Date/Time of Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Derwent below Lake St Clair | 1.23 | Steady | 06:45 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| River Ouse at Ashton | 3.15 | Falling | 07:30 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| River Ouse at 3B Weir | 3.68 | Steady | 07:30 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| River Clyde at Bothwell | 2.62 | Falling | 07:00 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam | 5.42 | Rising | 07:45 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| River Derwent at Macquarie Plains | 1.75 | Rising | 08:13 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| Tyenna River at Newbury | 0.83 | Steady | 07:00 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| Styx River at Bruces Bridge | 1.38 | Steady | 08:06 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
| River Derwent at New Norfolk | 0.88 | Steady | 08:14 PM FRI 29/10/21 |
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.
