Australia Weather News

Tasmanians in the state's north are being urged to be ready for heavy rain and strong winds tonight and tomorrow, with a father and son spending an hour in the ocean clinging to their upturned boat off the north-east coast this morning.

Tasmania Police said the 47 and 69-year-old men were retrieving cray pots in the area of St Helens Rocks early today, when their 5.18-metre aluminium vessel was swamped by a wave over the stern.

"A second wave caused the vessel to capsize," police said in a statement.

"Both men were wearing life jackets and were able to cling to their upturned vessel for around an hour, before a passing recreational fisherman rescued them from the water and called emergency services."

Police said both men received medical treatment from Ambulance Tasmania paramedics for "non-life threatening injuries".

"Had these men not been wearing life jackets this morning it could have been a very different outcome," Acting Sergeant Matt Lovell said.

The rescue comes as the SES has urged Tasmanians across the state's north to be prepared for more rainfall and windy conditions during tonight and tomorrow, with potential wind gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour.

Tasmania's dry east coast, where barren pastures and a lack of feed has driven some farmers to seek drought assistance, could receive up to 200 millimetres of rain as a low-pressure system passes over the state.

Forecasters were expecting 50-100mm to fall over the coastal areas of the state's north-west over the three days from Friday, 50-80mm across the Bass Strait Islands, and 100-200mm in the north-east.

People in low-lying areas are being encouraged to monitor river levels and move stock and farming equipment if necessary.

The SES has advised people:

• Do not drive, walk, swim or cycle through flood waters
• Do not allow children to play near flood waters, drains or culverts; and supervise them at all times
• Drive to the conditions — if you don't need to drive in the wet, preferably stay indoors
• Farmers and graziers in forecast-affected areas are advised to move stock and agricultural equipment to higher ground
• Ensure that drains and gutters are clear of debris and are running freely
• Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment (i.e. trampolines are a frequent issue in high winds)
• Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings
• Be prepared in case of power outages
• Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving
• Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice.
• Additionally, stay abreast of road closures by monitoring the Tasmania Police website or by calling 131 444
• For flood and storm emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500

While the emergency services brace for the weather to hit, farmers in areas devastated by years of below average rainfall are hoping they do not miss out.

Mayor of Break O'Day Council in the state's north-east, Mick Tucker, said a drenching would be more of a help than a hindrance.

"We definitely need the rain, it will be very welcome, it will really help put water into the dams and hopefully get some of the creeks flowing and build up our groundwater," Cr Tucker said.

"Our ground is still very dry and we haven't had any run-off [from recent rainfall] so it will absorb an awful lot before it creates a problem."

He said the rain would be unlikely to cause problems if it was spread out relatively evenly.

"The benefits from this outweighs the negatives."

At the start of December, farmer David Amos said the rainfall records at his property at Cranbrook, near Bicheno on Tasmania's east coast, showed a devastating trend.

The data for annual rain began being documented in 1901, he said.

"Just adding up the figures, in the last 32 years we've actually had 22 years below average, so it speaks for itself," he told the ABC earlier this month.