Although 2016 was the warmest year on record in Tasmania, significant June rainfall caused extensive flooding in the Mersey, Forth, Meander, North Esk, South Esk, Macquarie, Ouse and Derwent Rivers. A subsequent flooding event in July resulted in the worst Huon River flood in twenty years.

The 2016 floods followed a similar overall rainfall pattern to the destructive floods of 1929, producing results comparable in scale and impact. 

Twenty of the state's 29 Local Government Aareas (LGAs) were impacted; the flooding was significant from the social, economic and environmental perspectives. The total recovery cost was estimated at $180 million.