UPDATE 8:30pm
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The Bureau of Meteorology has announced a major flood warning for the South Esk River.
The warning was previously at a moderate level but the warning has been upgraded to major.
According to BOM, there are concerns major flooding may develop at St Pauls River at Lewis Hill and moderate flooding is expected along the upper South Esk River to about Fingal overnight Wednesday into Thursday. Strong river rises are also occurring in the Break O'Day River.
BOM also advises moderate flooding is expected about Llewellyn during Thursday and localised flooding may result in areas that receive heavy rainfall.
For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.
For life threatening situations, call 000 immediately.
EARLIER (4:45PM)
The heavy rainfall which has lashed parts of the north east looks set to leave just as quickly as it arrived, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
BOM meteorologist Alex Melitsis said the weather was "a pretty short, sharp rainfall scenario".
"We'll start to see the heavier rain ease off pretty quickly [Thursday] morning ... and by sunrise probably a shower or two for the remainder of the day."
"It's pretty significant rain across the east, it has the potential to lead to flash flooding and riverine flooding."
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Mr Melitsis confirmed the central east coast to the lower east coast would be the focus of the rain later Wednesday evening, as the rains begin to travel. It is anticipated the south east could receive 40mm in rain on Thursday.
He confirmed that Gray had received 205mm of rain while areas including St Helens had received 50mm and Flinders Island had received 90mm to the middle of the afternoon.
There are severe weather warnings for the east and south east for flash flooding and the south east, which is expected to be upgraded late Wednesday.
Mr Melitsis said while the rain was significant, it was a common occurrence for this time of year.
"We tend to see the heaviest rain across the eastern parts of Tasmania around this time of year and that is generally because the sea surface temperatures are very high and we generally have high-pressure over Tasmania," he said.
In a further update, police are urging St Marys motorists in the area of Esk Main Road are urged to drive with caution due to water on the road. Motorists are reminded to never drive through a flooded roadway and to always obey any road closure signs in place.
Tasmania SES acting assistant director Nick Connolly said the SES was advising people in areas with weather warnings prepare their property as best as possible.
"We're asking the public to make sure they are aware of the weather warnings from the Bureau ... basically prepare their property where it is safe to do so," Mr Connolly said.
EARLIER
The weather bureau has warned of flashing flood in the east and southeast of Tasmania with heavy rain forecast.
Severe weather meteorologist Alex Melitsis said rain has already set in across eastern Tasmania with the heaviest falls expected along the East Coast with up to 100 millimetres from midday.
He added that the southeast, which includes Hobart, is forecast to receive up to 70 millimetres of rain.
The bureau has issued a flood watch for catchments in the eastern half of Tasmania while minor flooding is likely to occur in some localities - most in the northeast.
However, he said the rainfall is not expected to be as extreme as that seen across NSW.
EARLIER
It is time to grab your brollies and raincoats with the weather bureau warning residents in the east of Tasmania to prepare for heavy rain and winds.
The Bureau of Meteorology's severe weather warning is still in place with forecasts of damaging winds and surf, as well as heavy rainfall today.
On Wednesday morning, the bureau issued a flood warning for the South Esk River with minor flooding likely at Fingal and Lewis Hill from the evening onwards.
So far, rainfall totals of up to 46 millimetres were recorded in the upper South Esk catchment
The heaviest falls are expected in the North East and East Coast with up to 200 millimetres possible in elevated areas.
Severe weather meteorologist Alex Melitsis said people could see "very rapid rivulets and river rises" that could lead to flooding over the following days.
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"It will certainly have impacts on some susceptible homes," he said.
"The rain will be generated by a deep low pressure system that is expected to develop over the south-eastern mainland [Tuesday], then move close to the east Tasmanian coast during Wednesday."
The bureau stressed the rainfall is not expected to be extreme as that seen across New South Wales in recent days.
Strong gusts of winds travelling up to 100km/h and damaging surf is possible along the East Coast today and through to the early hours of tomorrow morning.