Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:41 pm CST on Saturday 20 January 2024

Flood Watch Number: 9

FLOODING OCCURRING IN NORTH WESTERN RIVERS, BONAPARTE, NORTHERN TANAMI, NORTHERN BARKLY AND WESTERN PARTS OF CARPENTARIA

A tropical low within the monsoon trough lies over land near Elliott and will be slow-moving today and then move westwards during Sunday, producing heavy rainfall over the Flood Watch area.

Catchments in the Flood Watch area are wet from recent rainfall. Further areas of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast for the next few days across the Flood Watch area. Widespread daily rainfall totals of 50 - 150 mm are possible on Saturday and Sunday, with isolated heavier daily rainfall totals exceeding 250 mm possible in the Flood Watch area.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall is current for Gregory and parts of Carpentaria, Barkly and Tanami districts.

Significant river, creek, and stream rises are occurring across the Daly and Victoria Rivers and are likely in the other parts of the Flood Watch area. Minor to major flooding is possible with forecast rainfall.

Many roads and primary and secondary highways are affected. The Victoria, Buntine and Stuart Highways are closed due to flooding. Some communities and homesteads are being isolated and may remain isolated for a period of time. Check road conditions before travelling.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Upper Victoria River(A generalised warning is current)
Victoria River below Kalkarindji(A generalised warning is current)
Fitzmaurice River
Upper Adelaide River
Lower Daly River(Moderate flooding occurring at Daly River Police Station)
Daly River above Douglas River
Katherine River
Moyle River
Waterhouse River
Tanami Desert(Applies to northern Tanami)
Barkly(Applies to northern Barkly)
East Kimberley Rivers
Sturt Creek District

Flooding is no longer expected in the following catchments: Wildman River, Roper River.

See www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings to view all of the Bureau's current warning products.

More information on the Flood Watch Service and maps of Flood Watch areas are available at www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml .

Flood Safety Advice:
The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.

* Prepare for flooding and move away while safe to do so.

* Don't drive into floodwaters.

For emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones call 132 500.

Emergency information is available at www.securent.nt.gov.au .

The latest road conditions are available at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au .

Rainfall and River Conditions Map