Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Simpson and parts of Barkly and Tanami districts.

Issued at 10:56 am Sunday, 22 February 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND POSSIBLE DAMAGING WINDS OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Weather Situation: A tropical low is situated between Tennant Creek and Jervois. It is expected to move slowly southward and strengthen during today. Rich tropical moisture feeding into this system is bringing a broad risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall, as well as isolated damaging winds.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely for parts of the Barkly, Simpson and Tanami districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 90 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 140 mm are likely.

LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible, more likely overnight in the southeastern Barkly and eastern Simpson districts. Isolated six-hourly totals to 120 mm are possible. Isolated 24-hourly totals to 200 mm are possible.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of about 90 km/h are possible near showers and thunderstorms.

There remains some uncertainty over the position and strength of the low, but severe weather is likely to contract to just affect the Simpson district by Monday evening.

These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.

Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek, Yuendumu, Ali Curung, Ti Tree and Jervois.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Lasseter 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