Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Barkly and Simpson districts.

Issued at 10:59 am Saturday, 3 February 2024.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WINDS TO EXTEND SOUTH THIS WEEKEND.

Weather situation: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily is currently located near Avon Downs, close to the Northern Territory border. The system will move further south along or close to the border and is expected to move into the Simpson district early on Sunday morning, before continuing to track further southeast to clear the Territory by late Sunday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected about eastern parts of the Barkly and Simpson districts during Saturday and continuing into Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely. 24-hourly totals between 80 and 150 mm are possible.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible close to the low, particularly on the southern and western sides of the system. Isolated six-hourly totals between 80 and 120 mm are possible with 24-hourly totals exceeding 200 mm. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS with INTENSE RAINFALL are detected.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 90 km/h are also possible across the warning area, particularly associated with thunderstorms and heavy showers.

A Flood Watch is also current for multiple catchments in parts of the Carpentaria, Barkly and Simpson districts. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Alpurrurulam, Avon Downs and Barkly District east of Tennant Creek.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Carpentaria district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

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