‘Evacuate now’: Parts of Tasmania issued evacuation warnings as watch and act warning in place for Victoria

One woman is dead and thousands of properties are without power as severe weather pummels three states. Evacuation orders are in place across Tasmania, while Victorians have been urged to “watch and act” as they brace for winds equivalent to a category three cyclone. The warnings have forced the closure of schools across Victoria, while a woman was killed near the NSW-Victoria border after a tree fell on her cabin. THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER IN TASMANIA Thousands of Tasmanians have been left without power, with TasNetworks reporting long delays as more than 10,000 customers are affected by power outages across the state. Evacuation warnings have also been issued for parts of the state, with residents in the Derwent River, Meadowbank to Macquarie Plains and Styx River, Bushy Park to Macquarie Plains and surrounds have been urged to evacuate now by Tasmania SES. Tasmania SES executive director Mick Lowe said evacuation centres remain open at the Derwent Valley Sport and Recreation Centre on Derwent Terrace in New Norfolk and the Memorial Hall in Circle Street. “If you haven’t already left the area – consider going to stay with family or friends. Make the decision as early as possible as parts of the Lyell Highway and Glenora and Boyer Roads may become flooded,” Mr Lowe. “While the Upper Derwent Valley remains the focus of an evolving emergency, other Watch and Act warnings are also in place for areas in the south, west, north west and north.”Mr Lowe said it’s “crucial” for people to “make informed decisions and prioritise their safety”. “If you’re out on the roads, the message is simple – if it’s flooded, forget it. Never enter or drive through floodwaters,” he said. People in affected areas have been advised to use flood emergency plans, and if safe to do so move livestock to higher ground, place furniture and possessions high on tables and benches, have an emergency kit available and be ready to leave. Mr Lowe said the SES received 347 requests for assistance in the 12 hours to 5.10am on Monday morning as peak wind gusts reached 157km/hr at King Island airport and 130km at Launceston Airport. The Bureau of Meteorology reported major flooding is “likely” below Meadowbank dam on Monday morning, while moderate flooding is already underway at Macquarie Plains, with more possible at Ashton. “Heavy rainfall in the last few days in the River Derwent catchment, has resulted in river level rises across the catchment. Further showers are forecast for the remainder of Monday, which will lead to further river level rises,” the Bureau of Meteorology warning states. “Significant flows are occurring along tributaries of the River Derwent downstream of Macquarie Plains. Elevated river levels and flooding are occurring along streams and creeks of the Plenty River, Lachlan River, Glen Dhu and Sorell Creek.” Moderate flood warnings have been issued for the Mersey River, Meander River, North Esk River and South Esk River, while minor flood warnings are in place for the Forth River, St Patricks River, St Pauls River, Macquarie River, as well as flood warnings for the Isis River, Lake River and Brumby’s Creek. Flooding is likely to continue across the west, north, northwest, and parts of the northeast rivers. WATCH AND ACT WARNINGS ACROSS VICTORIA Meanwhile, schools across Victoria have been forced to close as Watch and Act alerts are issued for strong and destructive winds. Kilbreda College, Balcombe Grammar School and Killester Springvale will be closed on Monday as wild winds lash the state, with the Victorian State government expected to publish a full list of school closures at 8.30am on Monday. Watch and Acts have also been issued across Melbourne and suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula to Wilsons Promontory, the North east ranges, the South West Coast and the Macedon Ranges, as destructive wind gusts of up to 130km/hr are forecast. Victorians across those areas have also been urged to steer clear of beaches as conditions will be dangerous, with the potential for low-lying areas to flood due to abnormally high tides. “A vigorous west to north-westerly airstream is in place ahead of the front, shifting west to south-westerly following its passage. The strength of these winds aloft, combined with scattered lines of showers and a few thunderstorms will continue to bring damaging winds to parts of the state today,” the Bureau of Meteorology website states. The northeast ranges are tipped to reach wind gusts of up to 130km/hr on Monday, while east Melbourne could reach up to 110km/hr early on Monday morning. Video shows a lime scooter rider in Melbourne enduring some wild weather. West Melbourne could reach similar wind gusts of 110km/hr around exposed coastal areas, with south-westerly winds with damaging gusts of 90km/hr predicted further inland. Victorians in affected areas have been urged to avoid travel if possible and pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and flood water if driving conditions are dangerous. Loose items should safely secured while cars should be moved under cover or away from trees. Staying indoors away from windows is advised, while Victorians have been reminded to stay away from fallen power lines and to always assume they are live. Heavy rainfall could also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads, with people urged to take caution. FALLEN TREE LEAVES WOMAN DEAD IN NSW A woman has also died near the Victoria-NSW border after a tree fell on a cabin near Albury in south NSW. Emergency services were called to Merool Road in Moama about 3.50am after reports a tree had fallen on a cabin. Officers found the body of a 63-year-old woman. A 63-year-old man was treated by paramedic for injuries to his right hand. He was taken to Echuca Hospital for further treatment, while a report will be prepared for the Coroner. Fire bans are in place for the Greater Sydney region and Illawarra/Shoalhaven as an extreme fire danger warning has been issued for the Illawarra/Shoalhaven area as above average temperatures meet windy conditions across the state. High fire danger ratings are also in place for the Greater Sydney region, Far North Coast and South western. The state is forecast to experience its strongest winds yet on Monday morning, with the potential for damaging winds from the Victorian border up to the Hunter district. This includes the south coast, the Illawarra, Sydney metro, and the adjacent ranges, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS HIT SOUTH AUSTRALIA Damaging wind gusts of up to 100km/hr are forecast across South Australia as showers and thunderstorms are predicted. Potential affected areas include Mount Gambier, Kingscote, Naracoorte, Victor Harbor, Meningie and Bordertown. Gusts of 107km/hr were recorded at 11.52pm on Sunday at Cape Jaffa, with the SES advising people to move vehicles under cover and away from trees, secure loose items on properties, and stay indoors away from windows.