Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Carpentaria, Gregory, Barkly and Tanami districts.

Issued at 11:01 am Friday, 19 January 2024.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL FORECAST TO CONTINUE OVER CENTRAL DISTRICTS.

Weather Situation: The monsoon trough lies across the southern Carpentaria district and is expected to remain in place through today and the weekend. An embedded tropical low located near Elliott is likely to remain slow moving during Friday and much of Saturday, and is then expected to move towards the west from Sunday.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely to continue around and to the south of Daly Waters through central inland during Friday and into the weekend. Scattered six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 120 mm are likely.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible with thunderstorms in western and northern parts of the Barkly district, including Tennant Creek, and in the far eastern Gregory district. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 120 to 180 mm are possible. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with INTENSE RAINFALL are detected.

Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek, Elliott, Kalkarindji, Daly Waters, Top Springs and Renner Springs.

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