Torn-off roofs and blown-in windows were among the 46 calls for assistance that State Emergency Service crews responded to overnight as severe wind gusts swept across the state.
SES Assistant Director Leon Smith said the average damaging winds, clocking in at 98 km/h, included “pockets of destructive winds” that prompted volunteers to respond to various incidents during the storm.
“The most requests for assistance were received from residents in the south of the state, with 36 calls received from people in Hobart and surrounding areas,” Smith said.
“In the north and north west, SES responded to 10 requests for assistance from people in Wynyard, Sheffield, Launceston, Beaconsfield, Lilydale and George Town.”
Buildings, including the Margate Hall, a marquee at the Hobart Show and the roof of the Kings Meadows Just Swim complex, suffered damage from the winds.
Smith said that although there were numerous reports of fallen trees blocking roads and affecting power lines, “no damage of structural significance was reported”.
Around 1,257 customers remain without power this afternoon, with TasNetworks expecting that the majority will be reconnected by late Wednesday evening.
The highest wind gust recorded reached 159km/h on top of kunanyi/Mt Wellington shortly after 5am.
BOM: Significant wind observations during the event
159km/h wind gust at kunanyi/Mt Wellington at 05:02am Wednesday
124km/h wind gust at Tasman Island at 11:01pm Tuesday
120km/h wind gust at Scotts Peak at 8:34pm Tuesday
119km/h wind gust at Mount Read at 7:43pm Tuesday
119km/h wind gust at Maria Island at 2:57 am Wednesday
116km/h wind gust at Hartz Mountain at 4:52am Wednesday
111km/h wind gust at Low Rocky Point at 5:53pm Tuesday
98km/h wind gust at Hobart at 12:46am Wednesday
