Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Carpentaria and Barkly districts.

Issued at 7:26 am Tuesday, 19 March 2024.
EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE MEGAN TO PRODUCE HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL WITH POSSIBLE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.

Weather Situation: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan is located over the eastern Carpentaria District about 75 kilometres south southeast of Borroloola, and is forecast to continue moving inland to the southwest before turning westwards during Tuesday evening. Heavy to intense rainfall and locally damaging wind gusts will remain a threat with the system, primarily over its southern flank.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Carpentaria and the Barkly Districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 120 mm are likely, with 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 180 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 150 mm, particularly near the centre of the system. 24-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 250 mm are also possible. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
Localised DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts around 90 km/h are possible within the warning area.

A Flood Watch and Flood Warning are current for the Carpentaria and Barkly districts, as well as parts of the Top End. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek, Elliott, McArthur River, Renner Springs, Mallapunyah and Barkly District east of Tennant Creek.
Centre Island has recorded 428.4mm in the 24 hours to 9:30pm Monday, including 202.6mm in 6 hours to 5:41pm Monday.

Borroloola Airport has recorded 304.2mm in the 24 hours to 3:05am.
McArthur River Mine Airport has recorded 260.8mm in the 24 hours to 4:55am.

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