Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Carpentaria and Barkly districts.

Issued at 11:48 am Thursday, 15 February 2024.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WINDS DEVELOPING FROM FRIDAY MORNING.

Weather Situation: A tropical low in the western Gulf of Carpentaria is expected to strengthen over the next 24 hours and may cross the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast as a Tropical Cyclone on Friday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the eastern Carpentaria and northeast Barkly districts from early Friday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 90 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 90 mm are likely, with 150 to 200 mm closer to the low.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible over eastern Carpentaria and northeast Barkly districts during this period with six-hourly rainfall totals exceeding 140 mm. 24-hourly rainfall totals exceeding 250 mm are also possible.

Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of up to 100 km/h are possible over eastern portions of the Carpentaria and northeastern portions of the Barkly districts from Friday midday.

A separate Tropical Cyclone Advice is also current for the adjacent area. See http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/index.shtml for more information.
A Flood Watch is current for the area, please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include McArthur River, Wollogorang, Mallapunyah and Cresswell Downs.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:
* secure loose outside objects and seek shelter when conditions deteriorate
* pull over if it is raining heavily and you cannot see, park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
* avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current
* create your own sandbags if there is flooding, by using pillow cases or shopping bags filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home
* stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
* ensure pets and animals are safe
* be prepared in case of power outages, have an emergency kit with a radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
* for emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500. For more safety tips visit www.securent.nt.gov.au