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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 | Fears grow for Launceston as Tasmanian rivers rise – rolling report |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 5.43am BST | |
| 05:43 | |
| I’ll hand over to my colleague, Michael Safi, in a moment. But first, Guardian Australia’s photographer at large, Mike Bowers, is traveling with the PM. He took this photo at Picton today showing just how far the water rose. | |
| PM Malcolm Turnbull walks past a shopfront in Picton which shows the flood level @murpharoo @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/tD9QGUPorA | |
| 5.35am BST | |
| 05:35 | |
| Tasmanian authorities are watching the South Esk river closely, predicted to peak this afternoon. Some suburbs nearby have already been advised to evacuate. | |
| Flood waters rage down the South Esk River in northern Tasmania. It's usually about 10m wide. #7newsmelb pic.twitter.com/js79FO9JWr | |
| 5.28am BST | |
| 05:28 | |
| The Mittagong RSL earlier today paid tribute to one of the men who died in NSW. Robert Pollard, 65, died in floodwaters over the weekend. | |
| Musician Johnny Spitz said he was devastated at the news. | |
| 70-year-old Ahmed Elomar was also named as a victim of the storm after he died when his car was trapped in flood waters in Leppington. His body was found a day after he was reported missing. | |
| 5.09am BST | 5.09am BST |
| 05:09 | 05:09 |
| The 37 NSW local government areas now subject to disaster relief are the following: | The 37 NSW local government areas now subject to disaster relief are the following: |
| Bega, Blacktown, Byron, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, City of Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Eurobodalla, Fairfield, Hornsby, Inner West, Kiama, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Lismore, Liverpool, Maitland, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Randwick, Ryde, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills, Tweed, Waverley, Willoughby, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Wollongong, Woollahra | Bega, Blacktown, Byron, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, City of Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Eurobodalla, Fairfield, Hornsby, Inner West, Kiama, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Lismore, Liverpool, Maitland, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Randwick, Ryde, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills, Tweed, Waverley, Willoughby, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Wollongong, Woollahra |
| 4.53am BST | 4.53am BST |
| 04:53 | 04:53 |
| Tasmanian police have again urged people to stay away from flood water, telling local media there had already been 100 rescued – 20 by helicopter. | Tasmanian police have again urged people to stay away from flood water, telling local media there had already been 100 rescued – 20 by helicopter. |
| The Tasmanian premier, Will Hodgman, has said there will be “an extraordinary cost” after the disaster. | The Tasmanian premier, Will Hodgman, has said there will be “an extraordinary cost” after the disaster. |
| Cataract Gorge swells as the cafe is evacuated. @WINNews_Tas pic.twitter.com/XjQQk7g44L | Cataract Gorge swells as the cafe is evacuated. @WINNews_Tas pic.twitter.com/XjQQk7g44L |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.02am BST | at 5.02am BST |
| 4.45am BST | 4.45am BST |
| 04:45 | 04:45 |
| Natural disaster arrangements will be in place, and affected communities will get all the support they need, the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says. | Natural disaster arrangements will be in place, and affected communities will get all the support they need, the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says. |
| Turnbull and the NSW premier, Mike Baird, visited Picton, south-west of Sydney, on Tuesday where they inspected damage and recovery efforts, AAP reports. | Turnbull and the NSW premier, Mike Baird, visited Picton, south-west of Sydney, on Tuesday where they inspected damage and recovery efforts, AAP reports. |
| Turnbull said he had spoken with opposition Leader Bill Shorten and agreed to natural disaster arrangements which would have no total funding cap, but limits on some of the grants and loans available to households and businesses. | Turnbull said he had spoken with opposition Leader Bill Shorten and agreed to natural disaster arrangements which would have no total funding cap, but limits on some of the grants and loans available to households and businesses. |
| Thirty-seven local government areas have been affected in NSW alone. | Thirty-seven local government areas have been affected in NSW alone. |
| “The forces of nature are very powerful, but they are not as powerful as the spirit of this community,” Turnbull said. | “The forces of nature are very powerful, but they are not as powerful as the spirit of this community,” Turnbull said. |
| The federal-state support includes disaster grants to low-income households, small business loans to restock and local council grants for road and bridge work. | The federal-state support includes disaster grants to low-income households, small business loans to restock and local council grants for road and bridge work. |
| Turnbull said he and Shorten were “absolutely united” in thanking and supporting the affected communities. | Turnbull said he and Shorten were “absolutely united” in thanking and supporting the affected communities. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.03am BST | at 5.03am BST |
| 4.28am BST | 4.28am BST |
| 04:28 | 04:28 |
| Up to 600 sheep have perished at Ouse, north-west of Hobart. It’s the same region where an 81-year-old man is believed to have been swept away while trying to rescue his sheep. | Up to 600 sheep have perished at Ouse, north-west of Hobart. It’s the same region where an 81-year-old man is believed to have been swept away while trying to rescue his sheep. |
| Bernard Brain said he hadn’t seen a flood like this since the 1960s. The farmer has lost about three-quarters of his Merino lambs. | Bernard Brain said he hadn’t seen a flood like this since the 1960s. The farmer has lost about three-quarters of his Merino lambs. |
| “It all happened between 4.30 and 6 this morning, so we just weren’t even aware of it,” he told the ABC. | “It all happened between 4.30 and 6 this morning, so we just weren’t even aware of it,” he told the ABC. |
| “Within an hour-and-a-half the river rose from 0.6 of a metre to four metres. Pumps and thing we couldn’t even think about doing.” | “Within an hour-and-a-half the river rose from 0.6 of a metre to four metres. Pumps and thing we couldn’t even think about doing.” |
| Amid the tragedy, some animals have been rescued elsewhere, including this calf in Latrobe. | Amid the tragedy, some animals have been rescued elsewhere, including this calf in Latrobe. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.39am BST | at 4.39am BST |
| 4.15am BST | 4.15am BST |
| 04:15 | 04:15 |
| A short time ago Bill Shorten sent a message to the insurance companies of Australia, reminding them to treat customers fairly in the aftermath of the floods and storms. | A short time ago Bill Shorten sent a message to the insurance companies of Australia, reminding them to treat customers fairly in the aftermath of the floods and storms. |
| The Insurance Council of Australia has said by 9am today more than 14,500 claims had come in from across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. The bill has passed $56m and is set to rise. | The Insurance Council of Australia has said by 9am today more than 14,500 claims had come in from across Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. The bill has passed $56m and is set to rise. |
| “While the storm front has moved past Queensland and NSW, heavy rains are still causing damage and flooding in more southern parts of Australia, especially in Tasmania,” the acting ICA chief executive, Karl Sullivan, told AAP. | “While the storm front has moved past Queensland and NSW, heavy rains are still causing damage and flooding in more southern parts of Australia, especially in Tasmania,” the acting ICA chief executive, Karl Sullivan, told AAP. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.19am BST | at 4.19am BST |
| 4.06am BST | 4.06am BST |
| 04:06 | 04:06 |
| In Collaroy a major sandbagging operation is under way to save the beachside homes in danger of washing away after huge seas and king tides eroded the land away from under them. | In Collaroy a major sandbagging operation is under way to save the beachside homes in danger of washing away after huge seas and king tides eroded the land away from under them. |
| AAP reports residents have not been allowed to return to the seven houses and one unit block evacuated on Sunday night, as structural engineers inspect the buildings. | AAP reports residents have not been allowed to return to the seven houses and one unit block evacuated on Sunday night, as structural engineers inspect the buildings. |
| “It’s virtually impossible ... to get in there and carry out any meaningful work,” coastal engineer consultant Angus Gordon told reporters at the scene on Tuesday. | “It’s virtually impossible ... to get in there and carry out any meaningful work,” coastal engineer consultant Angus Gordon told reporters at the scene on Tuesday. |
| Another “abnormally high tide” is predicted for tonight, and emergency crews are just trying to save the homes from further damage rather than attempting any repairs yet. | Another “abnormally high tide” is predicted for tonight, and emergency crews are just trying to save the homes from further damage rather than attempting any repairs yet. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.20am BST | at 4.20am BST |
| 4.03am BST | 4.03am BST |
| 04:03 | 04:03 |
| In Tasmania: The SES has warned residents of the Launceston suburb of Invermay to evacuate now as a precaution, as the flood levels of the South Esk river rise. | In Tasmania: The SES has warned residents of the Launceston suburb of Invermay to evacuate now as a precaution, as the flood levels of the South Esk river rise. |
| People in Longford should assess their individual flood evacuation plans. “If you wish to evacuate as a precaution you should do so now,” said the SES. | People in Longford should assess their individual flood evacuation plans. “If you wish to evacuate as a precaution you should do so now,” said the SES. |
| 3.55am BST | 3.55am BST |
| 03:55 | 03:55 |
| “He just rode a tsunami”, is the kind of commentary you’ll hear if you duck over to the Cape Fear surfing competition live stream right now. | “He just rode a tsunami”, is the kind of commentary you’ll hear if you duck over to the Cape Fear surfing competition live stream right now. |
| The invitation-only event at Kurnell was called off for a few hours yesterday due to the surf being too dangerous even for a competition named “Cape Fear”, but is back on today (although closed to spectators). | The invitation-only event at Kurnell was called off for a few hours yesterday due to the surf being too dangerous even for a competition named “Cape Fear”, but is back on today (although closed to spectators). |
| The annual tournament is taking full advantage of the enormous swell kicked up by the past few devastating days of storms. | The annual tournament is taking full advantage of the enormous swell kicked up by the past few devastating days of storms. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.19am BST | at 4.19am BST |
| 3.43am BST | 3.43am BST |
| 03:43 | 03:43 |
| Paul Karp | Paul Karp |
| Bill Shorten has spoken about the eastern coast floods at a doorstop in Adelaide before he travels to Sydney to survey storm damage. | Bill Shorten has spoken about the eastern coast floods at a doorstop in Adelaide before he travels to Sydney to survey storm damage. |
| “I think it is something special about our country, that even in the midst of an election, [Malcolm] Turnbull and I understand that there are things more important when crisis hits in the day to day political rancour. | “I think it is something special about our country, that even in the midst of an election, [Malcolm] Turnbull and I understand that there are things more important when crisis hits in the day to day political rancour. |
| “This is a moment where the nation supports people in trouble. It is fair to say that in the worst of times, we see the best of Australia. I look forward to seeing and working with the volunteers and thanking them on behalf of many Australians.” | “This is a moment where the nation supports people in trouble. It is fair to say that in the worst of times, we see the best of Australia. I look forward to seeing and working with the volunteers and thanking them on behalf of many Australians.” |
| Shorten said he had contacted the prime minister and offered to visit storm and flood-affected regions with him but “the issue is not Mr Turnbull or I, it is the people experiencing loss, and damage”. | Shorten said he had contacted the prime minister and offered to visit storm and flood-affected regions with him but “the issue is not Mr Turnbull or I, it is the people experiencing loss, and damage”. |
| He then read the riot act to insurance companies to promptly pay up on claims: | He then read the riot act to insurance companies to promptly pay up on claims: |
| “I will make this point, and I have no reason to be concerned about it, but ... I want to send a message out to the insurance companies of Australia, I am sure you will do this, but make sure that you treat your customers fairly. | “I will make this point, and I have no reason to be concerned about it, but ... I want to send a message out to the insurance companies of Australia, I am sure you will do this, but make sure that you treat your customers fairly. |
| “Make sure you deal with their claims in a speedy fashion. For people who have suffered significant damage, the last thing they need is to be damaged again by a long argument with an insurance company.” | “Make sure you deal with their claims in a speedy fashion. For people who have suffered significant damage, the last thing they need is to be damaged again by a long argument with an insurance company.” |
| 3.32am BST | 3.32am BST |
| 03:32 | 03:32 |
| Four dead, three missing | Four dead, three missing |
| Authorities in Tasmania are continuing to search for two men missing in flood waters since yesterday. | Authorities in Tasmania are continuing to search for two men missing in flood waters since yesterday. |
| One of the men is an 81-year-old farmer from Ouse, in the central highlands. His wife reportedly saw him wade into flood waters to check his sheep and then be swept away. | One of the men is an 81-year-old farmer from Ouse, in the central highlands. His wife reportedly saw him wade into flood waters to check his sheep and then be swept away. |
| At Evandale, about 20km south of Launceston, a man is missing after driving into flood water. A woman who was travelling with him was found clinging to debris and rescued via helicopter early this morning. | At Evandale, about 20km south of Launceston, a man is missing after driving into flood water. A woman who was travelling with him was found clinging to debris and rescued via helicopter early this morning. |
| Sadly, police have confirmed the body of a 75-year-old woman was found in her flooded home in Latrobe today. Mary Kathleen Allford was reportedly incapacitated and unable to reach rescuers, who plucked her husband off the roof yesterday. | Sadly, police have confirmed the body of a 75-year-old woman was found in her flooded home in Latrobe today. Mary Kathleen Allford was reportedly incapacitated and unable to reach rescuers, who plucked her husband off the roof yesterday. |
| Her death brings the death toll to four, after three people were confirmed dead after their cars became caught in flood water in NSW and the ACT yesterday. | Her death brings the death toll to four, after three people were confirmed dead after their cars became caught in flood water in NSW and the ACT yesterday. |
| Also in NSW, emergency services are still searching for a man in his 20s who was swept off the rocks at Bondi beach. He has been missing for almost 24 hours. | Also in NSW, emergency services are still searching for a man in his 20s who was swept off the rocks at Bondi beach. He has been missing for almost 24 hours. |
| I’m going to hand over to my colleague Helen Davidson now. Stay safe, and remember: don’t drive into flood water. | I’m going to hand over to my colleague Helen Davidson now. Stay safe, and remember: don’t drive into flood water. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.36am BST | at 3.36am BST |
| 3.21am BST | 3.21am BST |
| 03:21 | 03:21 |
| A correction on that promised emergency assistance in Tasmania. | 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. | 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. | 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! | @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! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.37am BST | at 3.37am BST |
| 3.04am BST | 3.04am BST |
| 03:04 | 03:04 |
| A big dry followed by a big wet | 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 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. | 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 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 and in January they burned, causing the worst crisis in the Tasmanian wilderness world heritage area in decades. | Poor rainfall saw the cool-climate rainforests and bogs of the west coast dry up and in 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. | 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. | In Tasmania, natural disasters come in threes. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.39am BST | at 3.39am BST |
| 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. |