Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:26 am Wednesday, 20 March 2024.

Ex-tropical cyclone Megan to produce heavy rainfall with possible damaging wind gusts.

Weather Situation: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan is located in the northwest Barkly district, between Elliot and Kalkarindji. It is forecast to move on a westerly trajectory today and tomorrow. Heavy rainfall and locally damaging wind gusts will remain a threat with the system, primarily over its southern flank.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for western parts of the Barkly District today, extending into the Tanami and northwest Simpson from tonight. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 80 mm are likely, with 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 180 mm.

Localised DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts around 90 km/h are possible within the warning area, and are expected to ease below warning thresholds during Thursday.

A Flood Watch and Flood Warnings are current for parts of the inland NT southern parts of the Top End. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek, Elliott, Ali Curung, Rabbit Flat, Barrow Creek and Renner Springs.

Significant rainfall observations up to 05:00 am Wednesday:

Tennant Creek has recorded 103 mm in the 24 hours to 9:00 am Wednesday.

Helen Springs has recorded 161 mm in the 24 hours to 9:00am Wednesday.

Borroloola Airport has recorded 304.6 mm in the 24 hours to 3:20 am Tuesday.

McArthur River Mine Airport has recorded 276.4 mm in the 24 hours to 6:26 am Tuesday.

Baileys Grave has recorded 253 mm in the 24 hours to 8:43 am Tuesday.

Kiana has recorded 183.6 mm in the 24 hours to 10:22 am Tuesday.

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