Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:00 pm CST on Monday 18 March 2024

Flood Watch Number: 13

RENEWED AND INCREASING FLOOD RISK FOR THE CARPENTARIA COASTAL RIVERS AND CENTRAL PARTS OF NORTHERN TERRITORY

Severe Tropical Cyclone Megan is moving slowly towards the south and is expected to cross the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast southeast of Port McArthur this afternoon. Once over land, Megan will weaken slowly overnight into Tuesday and track west through the Northern Territory as a tropical low.

Heavy to locally intense rainfall is likely about the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast during today and will extend to adjacent inland areas in the Carpentaria and northern Barkly as the system crosses the coast and moves inland during Tuesday.

Catchments in the Flood Watch area are relatively wet and responsive to rainfall, and river levels remain elevated in parts of the Flood Watch area.

Rainfall totals up to 247 mm were recorded across the Flood Watch area in the 24 hours to 11:00 am Monday following several days of heavy falls.

Rain and storms with isolated heavy falls are forecast over the next few days. Widespread daily totals of 100-250 mm are possible during the next few days across the Flood Watch area. Isolated heavy falls in excess of 300 mm are possible, with the heaviest totals likely to occur near the system centre.

The forecast and observed rainfall may lead to road closures, including primary and secondary highways, and isolation of communities and homesteads. Impacts will be become more widespread over the coming days. Check road conditions before travelling.

A Moderate Flood Warning for the Daly River is current.

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy and locally intense rainfall for parts of Carpentaria and Barkly districts and a Tropical Cyclone Advice for the Northern Territory are current.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

Upper Victoria River
Victoria River below Kalkarindji
Daly River above Douglas River
Katherine River
Groote Eylandt
Waterhouse River
Roper River
Towns River
Limmen Bight River
Rosie River
McArthur River
Robinson River
Calvert River
Settlement Creek
Nicholson River
Tanami Desert
Barkly

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