The most deadly floods on record in Tasmania's history occurred in April 1929 when 22 people were killed and 40 injured.
They became known as the "great" floods[1] and the generosity from other states in relief funds[2] and work was invoked for some time after.
"[citation needed] A deep low-pressure cell over Victoria at 9 am, Thursday 4 April 1929 produced north-easterly winds across Tasmania.
[4] Hobart paper, The Mercury reporting about the flood in Derby (a north-eastern mining town) below a failed dam: ...thousands of tons of water rushed at terrific speed down the narrow gorge to the township, uprooting trees and moving boulders of many tons weight as it passed.
The first warning was given, apparently by the Assistant Manager of the mine (Mr. W. A. Beamtish) as the waters came in sight, traveling at terrible speed, and so far as is known, Mr. Beamish, who is numbered among the seven men who were reported last night to be missing, was able to warn only those people who were in the mines office before it was overwhelmed, and he himself was carried away.