Guests were been forced to evacuate as rising floodwaters threatened to inundate a Tasmanian caravan park over the weekend.
The New Norfolk Caravan Park, located on the banks of the River Derwent 36 kilometres north-west of Hobart, has seen heavy rain in recent days and, on Friday night, the river was nearing the minor flood level of two metres.
The authorities decided to ask people to leave as a precautionary measure as further heavy rainfall was expected.
Pulse Tasmania reports that Mayor Michelle Dracoulis thanked council staff and SES volunteers for assisting with the evacuations.
An evacuation centre was set up at the Derwent Valley Sports and Recreation Centre.
There has been heavy rain in Tasmania. PIC: Pexels
The State Emergency Service had warned people areas across Tasmania to prepare their properties and monitor conditions.
“Flooding is likely in streams and rivers,” it said. “Lives could be at risk from flood waters. Some properties may become isolated or inundated by flood waters.”
As of Monday morning, light rain was still falling in the area.
The New Norfolk Caravan Park bills itself as an ideal base for exploring Southern Tasmania. It boasts 60 powered sites and 100 unpowered sites.
While camping alongside waterways is one of the great joys of the grey nomad lifestyle, grey nomads need to be constantly aware of just how quickly conditions can change, and to be alert to the potential dangers.
Earlier this year, for example, dozens of campers in outback Queensland were left stranded by rising waters, with some having to be transported to safety.
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We were evacuated out of the old Cann river caravan park ,on the NSW VIC border by the police in 2022. About 20 vans had to move back into town for the night.