The Huon River has burst over Huonville Esplanade, forcing the road’s closure as floodwaters rise across southern Tasmania.
The Huon Valley Council closed the road on Thursday afternoon after water spilled across it, warning levels were expected to peak between 6pm and 7pm.
“The Huonville Esplanade is now closed due to floodwater over the road,” the council said in a social media post.
Drivers have been told to use Flood Road as an alternative and to take care on roads across the area.
The council said the road would reopen “once it is safe to do so”.
The Bureau of Meteorology has a minor flood warning in place for the Huon River, after moderate rainfall soaked the catchment from Wednesday evening.
The river at Tahune Bridge peaked at 4.67 metres about 11am on Thursday before beginning to fall.
At Huonville, the river was sitting at 2.74 metres and still rising early on Thursday afternoon.
The bureau warned it could peak near the minor flood level of three metres on Thursday evening, coinciding with the high tide. It urged people to stay away from the water.
“Don’t drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous,” the bureau said.
In the state’s north-east, authorities are watching a second system.
The bureau issued an initial minor flood warning for the St Pauls River and South Esk River at 12:40pm on Thursday, with more rain forecast.
The St Pauls River at Lewis Hill could reach the minor flood level of 1.70 metres overnight into Friday.
The South Esk River at Fingal could approach four metres on Friday morning.
