TASMANIA’S North-West Coast has taken a hammering over the past 24 hours with heavy rainfalls and river rises in low-lying areas.
Motorists encountered large amounts of water on the Bass Highway at Round Hill, near Burnie while further east, a large tree came down blocking the highway at Anvers Chocolate Factory near Latrobe.
Police are on scene and the Department of State Growth are attending to remove the tree.
Motorists in the area are advised to drive to the conditions and obey all road signage.
The State Emergency Service said heavy rainfall yesterday morning which continued throughout the day had also resulted in strong rises in the Mersey and Dasher Rivers.
People living in the Kimberly and Merseylea areas experienced some minor flooding but further downstream Latrobe was expected to remain safe.
“Flood waters are full of hidden dangers and we urge people not to drive or walk through floodwaters,” North West regional officer Anthony Dick said.
He said with river catchments already saturated from last week’s rain, SES volunteer units and resources were on standby.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued minor flood warnings for the Mersey and North Esk rivers and an initial minor flood warnings for the Macquarie River, as well as a flood watch for North-West, North, and North-East catchments.
Light showers fell around the south yesterday and an early shower or two expected in Hobart today and a top of 12 degrees.
A severe weather warning is in place for King Island, the Furneaux Islands and parts of the North-West Coast forecast districts with damaging wind gusts possible early this morning.
More rain is likely tomorrow before temperatures rise to between 15 and 16 degrees for the rest of the week and heading into next weekend. Click here for the latest weather warnings.
For flood and storm e mergency assistance, contact the SES on 13 25 00.