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UPDATE 11.45am: BRUTAL weather has forced TasRail to suspended all train operations as a precautionary measure.
TasRail CEO Damien White said the disruption to customers was regrettable, but the safe operation of rail services was paramount.
“While heavy rain is continuing to fall across the state, the rail network appears to be withstanding the flood conditions reasonably well, but there are a number of areas, particularly on the North-West Coast where water levels are a concern,” he aid.
UPDATE 11.30am: TasNetworks has reported that 3640 home are now without power, down from the 4200 reported at 9am.
UPDATE 11.25am: RACT Insurance has urged Tasmanian policyholders to get in touch if they are affected by severe weather and flooding.
“We have ensured our local claims staff and services are positioned and ready to respond if required,” RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said.
UPDATE 11.20am: Tasmania’s wild weather, which is causing flooding in the northern half of the state, is extremely unusual, weather experts say.
Forecaster Anna Forrest said she hasn’t seen anything like in two decades at the Bureau of Meteorology.
“Particularly not this time of year. It’s not typical in winter,” she said.
A damaging surf warning remains in place for the entire East Coast
“And you could see inundation especially around river mouths,” she said.
The wild surf is been driven by weather flows from NSW, which is causing large swells and significant wave heights that are expected to last until tomorrow.
The heavy surf is threatening damage and coastal erosion for the East Coast from the northern tip of Flinders Island to Tasman Island. The BOM warns beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas. Effects are likely to be exacerbated by high tides, expected between 10pm and 11pm at St Helens, and around 9pm for the lower East Coast.
UPDATE 11.10am: THE Latrobe Council is bussing residents to an evacuation centre in East Devonport as flood waters continue to rise.
The council is pleading with residents to obey signage and not to drive through flooded roads.
In nearby Forth, State Emegency Service personnel wait anxiously to see if three shipping containers rushing down the river head towards Traffic Bridge.
Authorities fear the bridge will be damaged by the pressure of the impact.
Water is more than a metre deep on the road leading to Wilmot with a strong current and the area is closed to both cars and foot traffic.
UPDATE 11.05am: Locals near the Mt Field National Park have told the Mercurythat the Tyenna River is rising due to heavy rain and could break its banks.
Source : The Mercury
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