The State Emergency Service (SES) has issued a major flood warning for residents near New Norfolk, urging them to get ready to evacuate.
The warning comes after several days of wild weather, including heavy rain and damaging winds, which have left around 30,000 TasNetworks customers without power.
The SES has opened an evacuation centre at the Derwent Valley Sports and Recreation Centre in New Norfolk.
The areas potentially affected include Meadowbank, Glenora, Bushy Park, Gretna, and Macquarie Plains.
“During the next 2 to 3 days some properties are likely to become isolated and/or inundated by flood waters,” the SES said.
“Flood waters are a threat to safety. Property, livestock, equipment and crops are likely to be threatened by flood waters.”
“Driving conditions may be dangerous. Flood waters are a risk to safety, never walk, play, ride or drive in floodwater.”
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicts the River Derwent will flood below Meadowbank Dam to Macquarie Plains.
“In the 24 hours to 5am Sunday, rainfall totals of up to 45mm have been observed across the catchment,” the BOM said.
“Further rainfall is forecast for the next few days as a series of fronts cross the state. Further river level rises are possible with forecast rainfall.”
The river below the dam is currently at 5.58 metres and rising, above the minor flood level of 4.10 metres.
It is expected to reach the moderate flood level of 6.10 metres on Sunday morning and the major flood level of 7.30 metres on Sunday evening.
Minor flooding is also occurring along the River Derwent around New Norfolk, with the river at 1.65 metres and steady, below the minor flood level of 2.00 metres.
The river may reach the minor flood level on Sunday afternoon due to high tide, the BOM said.
