Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:58 am Thursday, 21 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 far northwest of the Barkly district, between Elliot and Kalkarindji. It is forecast to track to the west today, across the southern Gregory district. 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, the Tanami and the northwest Simpson today. 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 later today.

A Flood Watch and Flood Warnings are current for much of central and southern NT. 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.

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