Strangers helped each other sandbag businesses along the South Esk Riverbank during high tide on Wednesday afternoon, as the water rose to almost three metres.
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Park Street facilities and businesses struggled to cope with the rising waters, while crews worked around road closures and the flood levee to ensure businesses at the Seaport were spared.
High tide occurred officially at 3.37pm, but the water in the South Esk River did not stop rising until well after 4pm.
Northern Commander Brett Smith praised the community’s vigilance, as the state now looks towards recovery.
“The community has been absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“They’ve heeded the messages, they’ve heeded the warnings. The feedback I’ve had from our police colleagues is that the public have been absolutely fantastic in their cooperation.”
Businesses in the Launceston Central Business District are being urged to remain open this week if possible.
