Northern Tasmania is preparing for a significant weather event over the next 24 to 36 hours, with intense rainfall and damaging winds expected across much of the region.
The Weather Bureau is expecting this weather event to impact the North from tonight, which may lead to flash flooding overnight and into Thursday.
According to forecasts, we could experience six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 and 60mm, with 24 hour rainfalls during Thursday expected to reach 70 to 120mm.
Saturated soils bring an increased risk of gusty winds toppling trees and power-lines, while heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
It is important to stay vigilant if you need to be out and about over the coming 24 hours, particularly in our parks and reserves.
North to north-easterly winds with damaging gusts, peaking up to 95kmh, are possible during Thursday and becoming more likely into Thursday afternoon and evening. Those winds are expected to ease Friday morning.
At this stage, Launceston is likely to experience some flooding from the North Esk River on Thursday evening into Friday morning and the kanamaluka/Tamar Estuary from Friday afternoon and throughout the weekend.
The Council is calling on residents to remain calm and, above all, be prepared.
Our Customer Service team will be open to field calls from 7am Thursday morning.
Council’s work crews have been making preparations over the past 24 hours and will be on standby from tonight to assist any members of the public who require help due to flash flooding, which can happen quickly and often without warning.
Remember, in a flash flood, water will rise quickly over a very short period of time.
It’s important to be aware of your risk to flooding where you live, have property or work.
There are a number of steps you can take to sure your own safety and that of your family
