Severe Weather Warning for HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS
For people in Upper Derwent Valley, South East and parts of Western, East Coast, Central Plateau and Midlands Forecast Districts.
Issued at 10:55pm Thursday, 5 May 2022. Heavy rainfall and damaging southeasterly wind gusts over eastern and southern Tasmania this evening and into Friday.
Weather Situation: A low pressure system has developed off the east coast of Tasmania and will deepen this evening before moving over Tasmania during Friday. A very moist and vigorous southeasterly airstream is building across eastern and southern Tasmania, bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Severe weather will likely continue into Friday and gradually ease as the low moves over the state. The low may redevelop over Bass Strait later on Friday, but will then move away eastwards from Tasmania late on Saturday.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the southeastern half of Tasmania, including the South East and Upper Derwent Valley districts, and parts of the East Coast, Midlands, Central Plateau and Western districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 60mm are likely. Heavy rainfall is expected to contract south and west of Hobart by Friday afternoon and then ease during Friday evening.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible with very heavy showers and thunderstorms over parts of the East Coast and South East districts during this period, with six-hourly rainfall totals of 80 to 100mm.
A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
Strong southeasterly winds averaging around 50 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 80 km/h are possible over eastern and southern districts, including parts of the East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley, South East and Western forecast districts. Winds are expected to contract south and west of Hobart by early Friday afternoon and then ease.
Flood Warnings and a Flood Watch have been issued for catchments in the north, east and southeast. See http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Oatlands, Swansea, Orford, New Norfolk, Bothwell, Hobart, Geeveston, Dover and Huonville. Severe weather is no longer expected in the North East district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
27mm in 60min to 8pm, and 38mm in 3 hours to 10pm at Copping.
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.
The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5am Friday. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210.
