Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 11:51 am CST on Tuesday 19 March 2024

Flood Watch Number: 14

RENEWED AND INCREASING FLOOD RISK FOR THE CARPENTARIA COASTAL RIVERS AND CENTRAL PARTS OF NORTHERN TERRITORY

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan is forecast to continue moving inland to the southwest before turning westwards during Tuesday evening. Heavy to intense rainfall will remain a threat with the system, primarily over its southern flank and widespread heavy rainfall is expected to extend to the WA border over the next few days.

Catchments in the Flood Watch area are relatively wet and responsive to rainfall, and river levels remain elevated in parts of the Flood Watch area.

Rainfall totals up to 264 mm were recorded across the Flood Watch area in the 24 hours to 11:00 am Tuesday following several days of heavy falls.

Rain and storms with isolated heavy falls are forecast over the next few days. Widespread daily totals of 60-150 mm are possible during the next few days across the Flood Watch area. Isolated heavy falls in excess of 200 mm are possible, with the heaviest totals likely to occur near the system centre.

The recent observed rainfall is causing flooding impacts, and with further rainfall forecast, impacts will be become more widespread and severe over the coming days. Flood impacts may include road closures, including primary and secondary highways, and isolation of communities and homesteads. Check road conditions before travelling.

A Major flood warning for McArthur River and a Moderate Flood Warning for the Daly River are current.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy and locally intense rainfall for parts of Carpentaria and Barkly districts is current.

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Upper Victoria River

Victoria River below Kalkarindji

Waterhouse River

Roper River

Towns River

Limmen Bight River

Rosie River

Robinson River

Calvert River

Settlement Creek

Nicholson River

Tanami Desert

Barkly

Central Desert

See www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings to view all of the Bureau's current warning products.

More information on the Flood Watch Service and maps of Flood Watch areas are available at www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml .
Flood Safety Advice:

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.

* Prepare for flooding and move away while safe to do so.

* Don't drive into floodwaters.

For emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones call 132 500.

Emergency information is available at www.securent.nt.gov.au .

The latest road conditions are available at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au .

Rainfall and River Conditions Map