Northern Tasmania has been left battered by wild weather overnight, with strong winds of over 100km/h causing widespread power outages and road closures across the region.
At 7am on Friday, over 10,000 homes and businesses remain without power across 26 outages, including 2,500 in the Somerset and Wynyard area, 1,742 in Smithton and 1,400 in Ulverstone.
TasNetworks reported that the “severe weather came across the state overnight and continues this morning”, with multiple reports of downed wires and trees damaging powerlines.
“Due to the nature of this extreme weather event, we are expecting more reports of wires down and damage to our networks to come through as daylight hits us,” a spokesperson said.
“If you do see any damage or fallen powerlines, please stay at least 10 meters away and report these to us immediately on 132 004.”
The electricity transmission and distribution company’s website went offline due to “unanticipated technical difficulties” shortly after 7am.
The Bureau of Meteorology recorded wind gusts of up to 137km/h at Maatsuyker Island, 128km/h on kunanyi/Mt Wellington, 117km/h at Cape Grim, 109km/h at both King Island Airport and Devonport Airport and 104km/h in Burnie.
The strong winds have also caused multiple road closures due to fallen trees, including Bridgenorth Road at Bridgenorth, Shires Lane at Wynyard and Nook Road in Sheffield.
Police are also investigating a crash on Oldina Road after a car slammed into a tree that has fallen across the road near the Bass Highway.
One person was taken to the North West Regional Hospital with serious injuries.
