Flood Watch Issued for Top End and East Kimberley as Cyclone Narelle Approaches

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch (Number 2) for multiple catchments across the Top End and East Kimberley regions. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding due to the approach of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

Affected Areas

The following catchments are included in the flood watch:

• Northern Territory: Katherine River, Daly River (above and below Douglas River), Waterhouse River, Adelaide River (upper and below town), Mary River, Wildman River, South Alligator River, East Alligator River, Goomadeer River, Liverpool River, Blyth River, Goyder River, Buckingham River, Koolatong River, Walker River, Roper River, Tiwi Islands, Groote Eylandt, Moyle River, and Fitzmaurice River.
• Western Australia/Northern Territory Border: East Kimberley Rivers and Victoria River below Kalkarindji (flooding more likely in northern parts).

Major flood warnings are currently in effect for the Katherine, Lower Daly, and Waterhouse catchments.

Expected Conditions

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle has crossed the Queensland coast and is forecast to continue moving west across the Gulf of Carpentaria before impacting the Northern Territory over the weekend. The system is expected to bring widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall to parts of the Top End. Because catchments are already wet to saturated, rivers and creeks are expected to respond rapidly, with the potential for additional areas of minor to major flooding to develop starting Sunday.

What You Should Do

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take the following precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan ahead to avoid driving on flooded roads.
• Monitor the ABC and local media for updates as the situation can change quickly.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.
• Visit www.securent.nt.gov.au for local emergency management warnings and advice.

Timeline

The flood watch was issued at 10:55 am ACST on Friday, March 20, 2026. Potential major flooding is expected to develop from Sunday as the cyclone impacts the region. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 1:00 pm ACST on Saturday, March 21, 2026.