Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Carpentaria and Barkly districts.

Issued at 10:44 am Friday, 16 February 2024.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS FORECAST TO EXTEND INLAND THIS WEEKEND.

Weather Situation: A tropical low in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria is expected to cross the southern Gulf coast as a strong tropical low or possibly as a Tropical Cyclone today. The system is forecast to track towards the southwest through central parts of the Northern Territory and gradually weaken this weekend, although severe weather impacts are likely to continue.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the eastern Carpentaria and northeast Barkly districts today and through Saturday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 90 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 90 mm are likely, with 150 to 200 mm closer to the low.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible during this period with six-hourly rainfall totals in excess of 140 mm. 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 250 mm are also possible. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.
Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of up to 100 km/h are possible over eastern portions of the Carpentaria and northeastern portions of the Barkly districts.

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

A Flood Watch is current for the area, please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include McArthur River, Wollogorang, Mallapunyah and Cresswell Downs.

Significant 24 hour rainfall totals to 9 am Friday ACST:
125 mm at Centre Island

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