Source: Bureau of Meteorology

ssued at 10:07 am Monday, 18 March 2024.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE MEGAN TO PRODUCE HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.

Weather Situation: Severe Tropical Cyclone Megan, category 3, is expected to make landfall later today along the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast in the vicinity of the Sir Edward Pellew Group. It is forecast to weaken to a tropical low on Tuesday and move towards the west.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Carpentaria and the northern Barkly from Tuesday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150 mm are likely, with 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 200 mm.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible during this period with six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 180 mm, particularly near the centre of the system. 24-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 300 mm are also possible. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible within the warning area.

A separate Tropical Cyclone Advice is also current. See http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/index.shtml for more information.

A Flood Watch is current for the Carpentaria and parts of the Top End and Barkly Districts. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Mallapunyah, Brunette Downs, Cresswell Downs and Carpentaria District north west of Borroloola.

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