Tasmanians near parts of Derwent and Styx rivers told to evacuate
Residents near two rising Tasmanian rivers have been warned to evacuate as heavy rain and damaging winds lash the state.
The emergency warning issued on Sunday applied to the Derwent and Styx rivers near where they come together north-west of Hobart.
Homeowners were warned their properties could be isolated or even inundated by flooding.
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A flood-impacted area in Derwent Valley. Tasmania SES
"Flood waters are a threat to safety," the TasALERT warning said..
"Property, livestock, equipment, and crops are likely to be threatened by flood waters.
Extreme weather has already left 30,000 people without power and flooded streets across the state.
The warning applied to everyone living near the rivers between Meadowbank, Macquarie Plains and Bushy Park.
The State Emergency Service warned residents to prepare their properties by moving livestock and equipment to higher ground and doing the same with furniture and possessions inside.
Evacuation centres were set up at the Derwent Valley Sports and Recreation Centre and the Memorial Hall, both in New Norfolk.
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Tasmania has so far copped the worst of the wild weather battering Australia's south-east, with some gusts topping 170km/h and making the air feel like minus 20 degrees or colder.
Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse recorded a 187km/h gust with sustained 163 km/h winds and Kunanyi on Mount Wellington 172km/h gusts with sustained 137km/h winds.
Conditions eased slightly yesterday but both locations still recorded wind gusts stronger than 130km/h.
Storm force and other wind warnings still apply to many parts of the state today.
A severe weather warning for damaging, locally destructive winds still applied to most of the state early this morning.
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