Derwent on flood watch

Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania

Note: This Flood Watch is a "heads up" for possible future flooding and is NOT a Flood Warning.

Initial Flood Watch for the Derwent, Jordan, Coal and Macquarie RIver basins

Issued at 11.04am  on Sunday 3 December 2017

By the Bureau of Meteorology, Hobart.

Flood Watch Number: 1

A complex trough of low pressure just east of Tasmania is directing cooler south easterly flow across the state. A low pressure system is moving south east along the trough, passing east of Tasmania , bringing rain to the eastern half of the State.

Catchments were dry, however in the 48 hours to 9 am Sunday, widespread rainfall totals of 40 to 60 mm have been recorded. Isolated higher totals exceeding 80 mm have also been observed.

Further rainfall totals of 10 to 20mm are likely about the north eastern river basins for the remainder of Sunday. Higher totals of 20 to 30mm are likely in the east, south east and elevated areas. Rain is expected to contract to the south east and ease through Sunday evening.

River rises are occurring. Minor flooding may develop from Sunday afternoon. Further catchment specific warnings will be issued if and when required. Flood warnings are current for the North Esk and South Esk Rivers.

Strong and dangerous flows are possible in small creeks and low lying areas in locations that receive heavy rainfall.

Catchments likely to be affected by this flood watch are: Derwent, Jordan, Coal and Macquarie rivers

Note: This Flood Watch is a "heads up" for possible future flooding and is NOT a Flood Warning. The Bureau of Meteorology does not provide a flood warning service for all of the catchments covered by this flood watch. 

For more information on the Flood Watch Service: http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

For the latest warnings see www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings

For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/tas/flood

For the latest weather forecast see www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts

Flood Safety Advice:

FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.tas.gov.au

Road closure information is available at www.police.tas.gov.au

For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.

For life threatening situations, call 000 immediately.

Next Issue:

The next flood watch will be issued by 5pm on Sunday 03 December 2017.