With severe weather impacting Tasmania, police are urging the community to make informed decisions to stay safe.

“With intense rain and flooding impacting the state, police urge the community to heed the warnings and prepare to make informed decisions to keep safe,” said Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins.

To date, Tasmania State Emergency Services has issued two Flood Emergency Warnings – one for Railton and surrounds, and one for Liena to Latrobe.

“With severe weather impacting communities – it’s imperative people heed the weather and flood warnings specific to their area – and make an informed decision on when and how to safely evacuate.”

For people needing a safe place while evacuating – Evacuation Centres are now open at the Railton Green Shed, Latrobe Memorial Hall, and Deloraine Community Centre.

“The safety of the community is a priority for Tasmania Police, and we are resourced and prepared to assist, but we need people to make informed decisions to help us keep everyone safe.”

“Police Search and Rescue members, assisted by Surf Life Saving Swift Water Rescue members, have today rescued several people from two buses on a private property at Liffey – which were their living residence.

“If you have any concerns about your safety the current situation, make a decision early to move to a place of safety or an evacuation centre outside the flood zone.”

In areas that are impacted by intense rains and flooding – conditions outside and on the roads will be unsafe – and police urge people to restrict all non-essential travel.

“Where it’s essential to travel on the roads – to safely evacuate an area – drive with extreme caution, and never attempt to drive through or enter flood waters,” Assistant Commissioner Higgins said.

“I urge everyone in the forecast areas to keep up to date with warnings and advice from official emergency services including the Bureau of Meteorology and TasAlert.”

Keep up-to-date with:

• BoM website for current weather warnings – www.bom.gov.au/tas
• TasAlert for flood warnings – https://www.alert.tas.gov.au/
• Tasmania Police website Community Alerts for road closures – www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/