There we were sitting in Launceston Tasmania listening to the rain tumble down and attempting to leave for our home at Binalong Bay on the East Coast of Tasmania. News reports coming in indicate that floods are expected in a one in fifty year flood scenario. The Launceston Council was shutting flood gates with the lower parts of the city expected to flood, many people were being evacuated from their homes in the low lying areas of Invermay.
We would normally have two options to travel home if roads are closed for what ever reason. Police reports that both the Tasman Highway and the Esk Highway are both closed due to major flooding thus blocking our way home.
Floods at Llewellyn
Van washed off flooded road
South Esk River breaking bank
Friday morning after a very wet night we decided to leave Launceston in the Motorhome and move closer to home given that we are well stocked with food, water and fuel. The day was overcast with the rain now over and as we came into to the township of Perth on the Midlands Highway we were to see why the roads in the east were closed.
Going across the Perth bridge we were somewhat shocked at the level of the South Esk River for it is the highest we have ever seen it and such a broad expanse and absolutely flowing at a very fast rate. We were to hear on the radio that the township of Longford was bracing for its worst flooding in fifty years and though they expected the flood levies to hold back the water expected to be over 9 metres higher than normal. They were informing the locals to stock up with food for they expected the township to cut by flood waters.
Fast flowing floods near road
Road under water
Flooded farmland
Driving down the Midland Highway we could see the vast expanses of flood water over farm land which will no doubt destroy the many food crops which were awaiting harvest. Turning onto the Esk Highway bound for home and the first we saw of the floods was at Llewellyn where the river was extremely high. Though the township of Avoca had been cut by floods yesterday the roads were now clear, on the eastern side we were to see a delivery van off the road into the water no doubt trying to drive through the flooded road yesterday. You could see where the water had flooded the road by the amount of debris still on the road and it would be this way until we arrived at St Mary's. This area had received 386 mill of rain in an eight hour period again breaking previous rainfall records.
Road to Binalong Bay flooded Alternate Road via Reids Road bridge underwater

We stopped at St Mary's for a break and found that the St Mary's Pass which we would normally travel on had experienced several washouts undermining the road and would be closed for at least a week. The alternative route was down the Elephant Pass which would take us about fifty kilometers out of our way. It would be true to say that we have been lucky to date with the Esk Highway just being re-opened. The clouds had disappeared replaced by brilliant sunshine. Radio reports indicated that the road to Binalong Bay was still closed along with the alternate route Reids Road closed due to the flooding at the bridge crossing.(the above two photo's were supplied by a friend who was aware that we were trying to get home.)
Road to Binalong bay now clear only 150 mills of water covering road

Our journey down the Elephant was a bit hairy in places the road was covered in wet clay where the road had been cleared and believe me the motorhome with a car being towed behind does not leave much room on the road and when we came across two trucks it was stop and gingerly pass each other.
Once at the bottom of the Pass it only left 60 kilometers along the beautiful coastal road admiring the lovely blue sea and white beaches in full sunshine to arrive at St Helens. The paddocks along the way showed the signs of inundation and the lagoons were full to the brim with water. On arriving at St Helens around 1pm we pulled onto the wharf and had fish and chips for lunch on the paddle steamer restaurant.
Checked with the local council and found that the Reids Road bridge was now open and that the road to Binalong Bay had little water on it at the moment for the tide was out in Georges Bay and would not flood again until high tide.
So it was we drove through about 150mills of water and then before we knew it we were pulling into our drive safe and sound. Later we would go down to the Fire Station for a few drinks and then later we returned home to party on and watch the football. The amount of water in the rain gauge for twenty four hours was 200mills.
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