A MAJOR flooding of Invermay and Inveresk suburbs would see up to 3000 residents and 270 businesses in need of evacuation, according to the State Emergency Service.
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The SES along with Tasmania Police and the Launceston City Council have developed a flood evacuation plan for the area.
On Wednesday the SES will test the Launceston flood siren at 7.30pm.
‘‘Launceston is a flood prone municipality, with the suburbs of Invermay and Inveresk being particularly at risk,’’ SES regional manager Mhairi Revie said.
‘‘We are confident that we are well prepared for an evacuation if and when required.’’
If Invermay and Inveresk were inundated the flood siren would be activated to notify people to evacuate.
Police and SES would also conduct door knocks and people would be alerted through the telephone automated messaging system, Emergency Alert, and via media broadcasts.
During an evacuation the siren will be activated for a one minute period every 15 minutes signifying that a compulsory evacuation is in effect. The siren sounds similar to a traditional air raid siren, Ms Revie said.
‘‘The SES flood siren trailer has recently been modified to include a contemporary powerful lighting tower, increasing the operational capacity, and adding to the suite of tools at our disposal during an emerging situation,’’ she said.
The lighting tower will provide additional capacity for SES to ensure adequate operational lighting for other scenes, when floods are not an issue.
‘‘Testing the flood siren of an evening will allow us to test and showcase the lighting system at the same time,’’ she said.
For information on what to do before, during and after a flood, contact the Launceston City Council on 6323 3000, or go to Council’s website at launceston.tas.gov.au.
