The worst storms to hit Tasmania for years have wreaked havoc across the state, claiming the lives of several people, damaging infrastructure, and causing floodwaters to inundate scores of homes.
The effect of the strong winds, torrential rain and associated flooding has been devastating for residents and tourists alike. Caravan parks have been evacuated, Spirit of Tasmania ferry sailings suspended, and more than 100 roads closed.
And there have been amazing tales of close calls and lucky escapes.
Thirteen people were evacuated from the Latrobe Mersey River Caravan Park just south of Devonport after overflow from the storm broke through the back wall of the park and rushed toward the river.
However, the Advocate newspaper reports that Queenslander Helen Graham was trapped in her van for two hours while the floodwaters rose. She and her dog Nellie were eventually rescued by the park’s owner, Gavin Imlach, who managed to get them into his LandCruiser and drive through waist-deep water.
The river apparently picked the vehicle up and, with water up to its windscreen, it floated for a while before it hit the ground and got traction again.
The stress of the situation was particularly dangerous for Ms Graham, who is from Kingaroy, because she suffered a heart attack after being caught up in the drama of the Queensland floods in 2012.
The newspaper reports that the caravan park owner, Mr Imlach, also had to push the camper of two Dutch tourists to solid ground after floodwaters carried it 50 metres towards the Mersey … with both women inside!
Further south, guests at the New Norfolk Caravan Park to the west of Hobart had their own dramas when they were given two minutes to evacuate as the River Derwent threatened.
“It flowed through here in a phenomenal rate of knots, you could barely stand in it,” said park manager Debbie Rose. “It was all a bit of a blur”.
As for travellers hoping to leave the island soon. A spokeswoman for TT-Line, which operates the Spirit of Tasmania, said the company would advise passengers on when they could make the journey as soon as possible. She said TT-Line was looking at scheduling additional day sailings to carry the backlog of passengers.
