Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Arnhem district.

Issued at 10:38 am Saturday, 16 March 2024.

Heavy rainfall continues for eastern Top End, contracting to eastern coastal fringes into the afternoon.

Weather Situation: A tropical low, currently located offshore to the east of Alyangula, will continue to move to the southeast further into the Gulf of Carpentaria and develop over the weekend. Heavy rainfall is likely on the western flank of the low, particularly on the coastal fringe of eastern Arnhem Land as well as slightly inland.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the eastern Arnhem coastal fringes during Saturday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 150 mm are possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 220 mm are possible.

The low is likely to become a Tropical Cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria today, and a separate Tropical Cyclone Advice is current for parts of the Arnhem and Carpentaria districts, and Groote Eylandt. See http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/index.shtml for more information.
Conditions are likely to ease over northeast Arnhem outside the Tropical Cyclone Advice area by Saturday afternoon or evening as the tropical low continues to move further south.

A Flood Watch is also current for the eastern Top End catchments. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Birany Birany.

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