Spirit of Tasmania ferries connecting Victoria to Tasmania have been canceled as heavy rain has prompted flood warnings in Australia’s southernmost state.
The northern half of the island state is on high alert for flash flooding. Up to 100mm of rain is expected in the north, 180mm in the north-east and up to 250mm around the western high levels.
The SES issued an emergency warning for Railton in and around north-west Tasmania on Thursday morning, with rainfall expected to match the deadly floods of 2016.
“Flood waters are expected to enter some properties causing significant and widespread flooding,” it says.
“If you have a flood plan, use it now. Consider leaving…to a safer place if it’s safe to do so.”
Commercial operations at the port of Devonport have been suspended until Sunday due to predicted flooding in the River Mersey catchments.
The port closure has resulted in the cancellation of four Bass Strait Spirit of Tasmania ferry crossings.
Spirit of Tasmania chief executive Bernard Dwyer apologized for the inconvenience and said all passengers would be rebooked on the next available departure or given a full refund.
He said additional day crossings would be scheduled.
Acting SES director Leon Smith said the rainfall forecast was equal to the amount that caused the 2016 floods in the north of the state in which three people died.
AAP