Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Upper Derwent Valley, South East, East Coast, Midlands and parts of Western, North East and Central Plateau Forecast Districts.

Issued at 5:33 pm Wednesday, 4 May 2022.

Damaging southeasterly wind gusts and heavy rainfall to develop over eastern and southern Tasmania from late Thursday.

Weather Situation: A low will form in the Tasman Sea east of Tasmania on Thursday, and is expected to deepen and move over Tasmania during Friday. A very moist and vigorous southeasterly airstream will build across eastern and southern Tasmania late on Thursday, bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall. Severe weather will likely continue through Friday and early Saturday, with the low forecast to weaken and begin to move eastwards away from Tasmania late on Saturday.

Strong southeasterly winds averaging around 50 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 80 km/h are possible over eastern and southern districts from late Thursday and during Friday, including parts of the East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley, South East and Western forecast districts.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the southeastern half of Tasmania from late Thursday, including the East Coast, South East and Upper Derwent Valley districts, and parts of the North East, Midlands, Central Plateau and Western districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 60mm are likely, with higher totals possible in elevated areas and with thunderstorms. Rainfall is expected to ease during Saturday.

A Flood Watch has been issued for catchments in the north, east and southeast. See http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include St Helens, Swansea, Bicheno, Orford, New Norfolk, Bothwell, Hobart, Geeveston and Dover.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Supervise children closely.
* Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings.
* Manage pets and livestock.
* Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment.
* Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004.
* Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving.
* Clear drains and gutters on premises prior to severe weather arriving.
* Do not walk, ride or drive through flood waters.
* Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132500.