Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Gregory, Barkly, Tanami, Carpentaria and Simpson districts.

Issued at 5:00 pm Saturday, 17 February 2024.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS EXTENDING WESTWARDS THIS WEEKEND.

Weather Situation: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln is positioned near Elliot in the northern Barkly District and is moving west-southwest across central parts of the Northern Territory. Severe weather impacts are likely to continue and spread westwards on Sunday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for northwest Barkly and parts of the southern Carpentaria Districts today, extending into northern Tanami and southeastern Gregory Districts during Sunday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 90 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 90 mm are likely, with 90 to 120 mm closer to the low's centre.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible over the Barkly District from about Tennant Creek northwards Saturday evening into Sunday morning with six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 140 mm. 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 180 mm are also possible. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of about 90 km/h are possible about the warning area.

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 Tennant Creek, Elliott, Renner Springs, Cresswell Downs, Barkly District west of Tennant Creek and Barkly District east of Tennant Creek.
Significant 24 hour rainfall totals up to 9am Saturday ACST:

202 mm at Centre Island

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