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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jun/07/several-missing-in-tasmania-in-aftermath-of-eastern-australia-storms-rolling-report
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| Fears grow for Launceston as Tasmanian rivers rise - rolling report | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 3.21am BST | |
| 03:21 | |
| A correction on that promised emergency assistance in Tasmania. | |
| The premier, Will Hodgman, has offered payments of up to $750 per family in flood affected areas. That’s $200 per adult and $100 per child, capped at $750. | |
| Earlier, I accidentally increased that assistance to $750m per family. Apologies for any confusion or undue excitement caused, and thanks to George for picking it up. | |
| @callapilla You might want to check the numbers on your Tas flooding story. $750m to each family, $200m to adults! Poor kids only get $100! | |
| 3.04am BST | |
| 03:04 | |
| A big dry followed by a big wet | |
| The irony of the floods in Tasmania is that they have, for some months now, been crying out for water. Hydro Tasmania’s water storages dipped so low that they had to import diesel generators to keep the lights on; heavy industry shut down because the state-owned renewable energy generator couldn’t supply them with power. | |
| Poor rainfall saw the cool-climate rainforests and bogs of the west coast dry up in an January they burned, causing the worst crisis in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area in decades. | |
| Both these events - a big dry, followed by a big fire, were seen in 1968. They were followed by another disaster: a big flood on Tasmania’s east coast. | |
| In Tasmania, natural disasters come in threes. | |
| 2.49am BST | 2.49am BST |
| 02:49 | 02:49 |
| Such a pretty river, the Tamar. | Such a pretty river, the Tamar. |
| Launceston's Tamar River #tasfloods #BigWetTas #eastcoastlow @LeonCompton @VanessaOHanlon @abcnewsTas @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/Z5dD1JD6v3 | Launceston's Tamar River #tasfloods #BigWetTas #eastcoastlow @LeonCompton @VanessaOHanlon @abcnewsTas @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/Z5dD1JD6v3 |
| It would be nice to pretend that this delightful scum only occurs after significant flood, but it really doesn’t take much. Still, the bigger the flood, the more river foam you find piled up in stiff heaps in Seaport. | It would be nice to pretend that this delightful scum only occurs after significant flood, but it really doesn’t take much. Still, the bigger the flood, the more river foam you find piled up in stiff heaps in Seaport. |
| 2.45am BST | 2.45am BST |
| 02:45 | 02:45 |
| Back to Tasmania now, where the flood gates have been closed. Literally. | Back to Tasmania now, where the flood gates have been closed. Literally. |
| Food gates activated at Longford. South Esk river quickly rising - expected to peak around 8 metres. pic.twitter.com/r0KZpIcMzK | Food gates activated at Longford. South Esk river quickly rising - expected to peak around 8 metres. pic.twitter.com/r0KZpIcMzK |
| The South Esk River is expected to peak in Launceston tomorrow. As explained earlier, if the North Esk River has not subsided by then, that will be very bad. That’s what happened in the 1929 flood, considered the worst in the city’s history. Two thousand homes were damaged, between 14 and 22 people died (records are a bit hazy). | The South Esk River is expected to peak in Launceston tomorrow. As explained earlier, if the North Esk River has not subsided by then, that will be very bad. That’s what happened in the 1929 flood, considered the worst in the city’s history. Two thousand homes were damaged, between 14 and 22 people died (records are a bit hazy). |
| This is how the Launceston mayor, Albert Van Zetten, explained it on ABC 24 this morning: | This is how the Launceston mayor, Albert Van Zetten, explained it on ABC 24 this morning: |
| Although the North Esk does rise very quickly, it’s a shorter river and with all the rain in the area as well, it rises very quickly and it has nowhere to go well. | Although the North Esk does rise very quickly, it’s a shorter river and with all the rain in the area as well, it rises very quickly and it has nowhere to go well. |
| The South Esk takes a lot longer. Normally 2 to 3 days out, but within a day and a half or so, we’ll know what’s happening there. | The South Esk takes a lot longer. Normally 2 to 3 days out, but within a day and a half or so, we’ll know what’s happening there. |
| Van Zetten said this flood was worse than the 1929 flood, in terms of sheer volume of water, but they didn’t have levees in 1929. At this stage, he said, the levees were “doing their job” and protecting large parts of city. | Van Zetten said this flood was worse than the 1929 flood, in terms of sheer volume of water, but they didn’t have levees in 1929. At this stage, he said, the levees were “doing their job” and protecting large parts of city. |
| Newstead, a Launceston suburb that flooded yesterday, runs along the North Esk. | Newstead, a Launceston suburb that flooded yesterday, runs along the North Esk. |
| These backyards in Tasmania's north have been devastated @abcnews @abcnewsTas pic.twitter.com/dmvYMEcHBp | These backyards in Tasmania's north have been devastated @abcnews @abcnewsTas pic.twitter.com/dmvYMEcHBp |
| But it’s the South Esk that has flooded Longford, Perth, and Evandale, where one person is still missing. | But it’s the South Esk that has flooded Longford, Perth, and Evandale, where one person is still missing. |
| Police and SES scouring an area at Evandale in Tasmania's north. A man is still missing @abcnews pic.twitter.com/4hc0fojbdQ | Police and SES scouring an area at Evandale in Tasmania's north. A man is still missing @abcnews pic.twitter.com/4hc0fojbdQ |
| A truck fully submerged on Leighlands Rd, Evandale. @WINNews_Tas pic.twitter.com/FWdVQQaxYw | A truck fully submerged on Leighlands Rd, Evandale. @WINNews_Tas pic.twitter.com/FWdVQQaxYw |
| 2.26am BST | 2.26am BST |
| 02:26 | 02:26 |
| The damage to properties in Collaroy and Coogee is pretty spectacular. | The damage to properties in Collaroy and Coogee is pretty spectacular. |
| 2.17am BST | 2.17am BST |
| 02:17 | 02:17 |
| Gross. | Gross. |
| The #EastCoastLow whipped up plenty of sea foam that covered parts of the beach at Tathra on NSW’s south coast. https://t.co/7fPNM1qoWY | The #EastCoastLow whipped up plenty of sea foam that covered parts of the beach at Tathra on NSW’s south coast. https://t.co/7fPNM1qoWY |
| 2.14am BST | 2.14am BST |
| 02:14 | 02:14 |
| To NSW now, where Malcolm Turnbull has arrived in Picton. The Sydney suburb is cleaning up flood damage today. According to this post by Tim Senior, every shop in the main street is damaged. | To NSW now, where Malcolm Turnbull has arrived in Picton. The Sydney suburb is cleaning up flood damage today. According to this post by Tim Senior, every shop in the main street is damaged. |
| Arrived in Picton where floods has subsided and clean up is beginning pic.twitter.com/7ZA6Ao485k | Arrived in Picton where floods has subsided and clean up is beginning pic.twitter.com/7ZA6Ao485k |
| The damage in NSW has occurred on two fronts: flooding, from that massive dump of rain on Sunday, and damage caused by storm surges on the coast. | The damage in NSW has occurred on two fronts: flooding, from that massive dump of rain on Sunday, and damage caused by storm surges on the coast. |
| Large waves destroyed the coastline at Narrabeen-Collaroy Beach and Coogee in Sydney’s northern suburbs. Backyards and balconies have washed away, sea foam has been washed ashore. | Large waves destroyed the coastline at Narrabeen-Collaroy Beach and Coogee in Sydney’s northern suburbs. Backyards and balconies have washed away, sea foam has been washed ashore. |
| And it’s not over - another king tide has been forecast for tonight. Not quite as bad as the tide on Sunday night, which saw 8m waves crash into the coast, but still “abnormally high,” according to BOM spokeswoman Helen Kirkup. | And it’s not over - another king tide has been forecast for tonight. Not quite as bad as the tide on Sunday night, which saw 8m waves crash into the coast, but still “abnormally high,” according to BOM spokeswoman Helen Kirkup. |
| The full cost of the damage is not known, but AAP reports that the cost of some 11,150 insurance claims submitted so far is $38m. | The full cost of the damage is not known, but AAP reports that the cost of some 11,150 insurance claims submitted so far is $38m. |
| More from AAP: | More from AAP: |
| Northern beaches residents spent Monday morning walking up and down the debris-littered beach taking photos and surveying the damage. One said it was “as if a tsunami had hit”. | Northern beaches residents spent Monday morning walking up and down the debris-littered beach taking photos and surveying the damage. One said it was “as if a tsunami had hit”. |
| NSW Premier Mike Baird said his government was doing everything it could to assess the damage. | NSW Premier Mike Baird said his government was doing everything it could to assess the damage. |
| Applications for emergency funding will be fast-tracked by the NSW government after storms left three people dead in NSW and the ACT and hundreds with property damage. | Applications for emergency funding will be fast-tracked by the NSW government after storms left three people dead in NSW and the ACT and hundreds with property damage. |
| He said interest-free loans and grants for individuals, small business and community groups of up to $130,000 would be made available. | He said interest-free loans and grants for individuals, small business and community groups of up to $130,000 would be made available. |
| 2.03am BST | 2.03am BST |
| 02:03 | 02:03 |
| Woman confirmed dead in Tasmania | Woman confirmed dead in Tasmania |
| Sad news coming in. Tasmania Police have confirmed that the body of a woman missing from a home in Latrobe has been found. | Sad news coming in. Tasmania Police have confirmed that the body of a woman missing from a home in Latrobe has been found. |
| Mary Kathleen Allford, 75, disappeared from her Shale Road home yesterday. The emergency helicopter was able to rescue her husband, who was also trapped at the house. | Mary Kathleen Allford, 75, disappeared from her Shale Road home yesterday. The emergency helicopter was able to rescue her husband, who was also trapped at the house. |
| Her body was located by emergency service workers this morning. | Her body was located by emergency service workers this morning. |
| 1.51am BST | 1.51am BST |
| 01:51 | 01:51 |
| The Tasmanian government has announced an emergency aid package for people affected by the floods. | The Tasmanian government has announced an emergency aid package for people affected by the floods. |
| Up to $750m per family - that’s $200m per adult and $100 per child, capped at $750 - will be made available to flood victims to purchase food, clothing, accommodation and personal items. | Up to $750m per family - that’s $200m per adult and $100 per child, capped at $750 - will be made available to flood victims to purchase food, clothing, accommodation and personal items. |
| There’s also talk of some support for farmers who have lost stock. The stock losses are reported to be significant - one farmer, in the state’s northwest, reportedly his entire 300-head heard of dairy cattle, of which 100 have been found. | There’s also talk of some support for farmers who have lost stock. The stock losses are reported to be significant - one farmer, in the state’s northwest, reportedly his entire 300-head heard of dairy cattle, of which 100 have been found. |
| The premier, Will Hodgman, said he had spoken to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull who offered his full support. Interestingly, Turnbull was scheduled to visit Tasmania today but instead went to Sydney to tour areas affected by floods and storm damage. | The premier, Will Hodgman, said he had spoken to prime minister Malcolm Turnbull who offered his full support. Interestingly, Turnbull was scheduled to visit Tasmania today but instead went to Sydney to tour areas affected by floods and storm damage. |
| Here’s Hodgman’s full statement, via The Examiner’s chief political correspondent Georgie Burgess. | Here’s Hodgman’s full statement, via The Examiner’s chief political correspondent Georgie Burgess. |
| State govt announces flood assistance program, says Insurance Council has declared floods a catastrophe #politas pic.twitter.com/GQ8g4JLaP9 | State govt announces flood assistance program, says Insurance Council has declared floods a catastrophe #politas pic.twitter.com/GQ8g4JLaP9 |
| 1.38am BST | 1.38am BST |
| 01:38 | 01:38 |
| Here’s some footage of the South Esk River entering Launceston through Cataract Gorge. | Here’s some footage of the South Esk River entering Launceston through Cataract Gorge. |
| Keep in mind it hasn’t even peaked yet. | Keep in mind it hasn’t even peaked yet. |
| @CataractGorge in flood. @CityLaunceston @ExaminerOnline @TouringTassie @BOM_Tas Video courtesy of @Studio69AU pic.twitter.com/uhOX8v7HOV | @CataractGorge in flood. @CityLaunceston @ExaminerOnline @TouringTassie @BOM_Tas Video courtesy of @Studio69AU pic.twitter.com/uhOX8v7HOV |
| 1.35am BST | 1.35am BST |
| 01:35 | 01:35 |
| The flooding is quite widespread in Tasmania, as this map shows. | The flooding is quite widespread in Tasmania, as this map shows. |
| Launceston is fairly used to getting washed out, although this event is particularly bad. | Launceston is fairly used to getting washed out, although this event is particularly bad. |
| The culprits are the North and South Esk Rivers, which flow into the Tamar River at Launceston. | The culprits are the North and South Esk Rivers, which flow into the Tamar River at Launceston. |
| The South Esk River flows from Mathinna through the towns of Perth and Evandale. It’s much bigger than the North Esk, which flows from the slopes of Ben Nevis. | The South Esk River flows from Mathinna through the towns of Perth and Evandale. It’s much bigger than the North Esk, which flows from the slopes of Ben Nevis. |
| The North Esk has peaked at Launceston but the bulk of the South Esk is still rising and is expected to deliver a huge volume of floodwater to Launceston later today and tomorrow. That is, as you might imagine, very bad news. | The North Esk has peaked at Launceston but the bulk of the South Esk is still rising and is expected to deliver a huge volume of floodwater to Launceston later today and tomorrow. That is, as you might imagine, very bad news. |
| The flood at Latrobe is caused by the Mersey River. The catchment received 280mm of rain in the 24-hours between 9am Sunday and 9am Monday. | The flood at Latrobe is caused by the Mersey River. The catchment received 280mm of rain in the 24-hours between 9am Sunday and 9am Monday. |
| Thanks to Mike Ticher for producing this map. | Thanks to Mike Ticher for producing this map. |
| 1.18am BST | 1.18am BST |
| 01:18 | 01:18 |
| More than 100 people have been arrested by helicopter in Tasmania since the flooding began, most of them in the northwest town of Latrobe, where about 100 homes have been inundated. | More than 100 people have been arrested by helicopter in Tasmania since the flooding began, most of them in the northwest town of Latrobe, where about 100 homes have been inundated. |
| Tas Police have released this image of Latrobe, taken from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter today. pic.twitter.com/HbsyShrpyC | Tas Police have released this image of Latrobe, taken from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter today. pic.twitter.com/HbsyShrpyC |
| One of those rescued is the husband of one of the missing women. The ABC reports that the woman, in her 70s, disappeared while her husband was being airlifted off the roof. | One of those rescued is the husband of one of the missing women. The ABC reports that the woman, in her 70s, disappeared while her husband was being airlifted off the roof. |
| The final missing person in Tasmania is an 81-year-old farmer who disappeared from Cluny’s Road at Ouse, in the central highlands. He was reportedly trying to move his sheep to higher ground. | The final missing person in Tasmania is an 81-year-old farmer who disappeared from Cluny’s Road at Ouse, in the central highlands. He was reportedly trying to move his sheep to higher ground. |
| 1.10am BST | 1.10am BST |
| 01:10 | 01:10 |
| The State Emergency Services (SES) gave an update on the search for three missing Tasmanians earlier this morning. | The State Emergency Services (SES) gave an update on the search for three missing Tasmanians earlier this morning. |
| Acting director of SES Tasmania, Nick Wilson, explained that the rescue helicopter spotted a woman clinging to debris in floodwater at Evandale, about 20km south of Launceston, on this morning. | Acting director of SES Tasmania, Nick Wilson, explained that the rescue helicopter spotted a woman clinging to debris in floodwater at Evandale, about 20km south of Launceston, on this morning. |
| We have had a successful rescue of a female occupant of the vehicle just prior to daybreak and we are continuing the search for the male occupant of the vehicle. | We have had a successful rescue of a female occupant of the vehicle just prior to daybreak and we are continuing the search for the male occupant of the vehicle. |
| Wilson said the pair had driven their car into flood waters. It’s not clear how she managed to get out of her car. | Wilson said the pair had driven their car into flood waters. It’s not clear how she managed to get out of her car. |
| She was I believe holding onto some debris and it was quite a risky situation so it is a good news story but we do have some concerns for her male travelling companion and we have grave concerns for two elderly people missing in other parts of Tasmania. | She was I believe holding onto some debris and it was quite a risky situation so it is a good news story but we do have some concerns for her male travelling companion and we have grave concerns for two elderly people missing in other parts of Tasmania. |
| The three confirmed fatalities from NSW and ACT were also swept away in cars. Authorities are reminding people to not drive through floodwater, even if you think it’s not deep. | The three confirmed fatalities from NSW and ACT were also swept away in cars. Authorities are reminding people to not drive through floodwater, even if you think it’s not deep. |
| 12.56am BST | 12.56am BST |
| 00:56 | 00:56 |
| Information is still coming in about people killed or missing in the floods, but here’s what we know so far. | Information is still coming in about people killed or missing in the floods, but here’s what we know so far. |
| Three dead | Three dead |
| Four missing | Four missing |
| 12.44am BST | 12.44am BST |
| 00:44 | 00:44 |
| Search continues for four people missing in storm, floodwaters | Search continues for four people missing in storm, floodwaters |
| Several Tasmanian towns are under water and coastal properties in Sydney are crumbling into the sea after an severe storm dumped more than 200mm of rain in some parts of eastern Australia. | Several Tasmanian towns are under water and coastal properties in Sydney are crumbling into the sea after an severe storm dumped more than 200mm of rain in some parts of eastern Australia. |
| Three people are confirmed dead in floods in NSW and the ACT and three more are still missing in flooded areas of Tasmania. A fourth man has been reported missing near Bondi, where a king tide has exaggerated damage done by the storm on Sunday. | Three people are confirmed dead in floods in NSW and the ACT and three more are still missing in flooded areas of Tasmania. A fourth man has been reported missing near Bondi, where a king tide has exaggerated damage done by the storm on Sunday. |
| Both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have suspended their election campaigns today to tour affected areas. | Both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have suspended their election campaigns today to tour affected areas. |
| Join us as we track the damage and recovery efforts. | Join us as we track the damage and recovery efforts. |