Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 11:37 am WST on Sunday 21 January 2024

Flood Watch Number: 4

FLOODING POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF THE EAST KIMBERLEY, FITZROY RIVER, SANDY DESERT, DE GREY RIVER AND STURT CREEK DISTRICT FROM SUNDAY NIGHT

A deep tropical low over the Northern Territory is expected to move into the east Kimberley on Monday morning and track west across southern Kimberley on Tuesday, before moving into the Pilbara on Wednesday, bring heavy rainfall over the Flood Watch area.

Catchments in the Flood Watch area are slightly wet from recent rainfall, which is resulting in small rises in streams and creeks.

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast for the next few days across the Flood Watch area. Widespread daily rainfall totals of 30-100 mm are forecast for Sunday. Daily rainfall totals are forecast to increase to 100-150 mm with isolated 200-300 mm possible on Monday and Tuesday.

Minor to moderate flooding is possible with forecast rainfall. Flooding may affect road conditions which is likely to impact travel and movement across the Flood Watch area from Sunday into next week.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

East Kimberley Rivers(Flood warning is current for the Ord River)
Fitzroy River
De Grey River
Sturt Creek District
Sandy Desert

Flooding is no longer expected in the following catchments: West Kimberley Rivers.

This flood watch is available by dialling 1300 659 213. For more information on the Flood Watch Service visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
DFES advises people and communities to be aware that flooding is possible and be prepared to relocate equipment and livestock. Watch water levels. Travellers need to be aware that road conditions may be adversely affected and travel plans may need to be reconsidered. Do not drive into water of unknown depth and velocity.

Community information is available from DFES at www.emergency.wa.gov.au/

Current river levels are available from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at www.water.wa.gov.au/maps-and-data/monitoring/river-level-monitoring

Rainfall and River Conditions Map