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

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch (IDD20590) for multiple catchments across the Top End and East Kimberley regions. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding, including potential major flood levels, as Tropical Cyclone Narelle tracks toward the region. Current major flood warnings are already in effect for the Katherine, Lower Daly, and Waterhouse rivers, with a moderate warning for the Upper Adelaide River.

Affected Areas

The following catchments are likely to be affected by rising water levels:

• Northern Territory: Adelaide River (Upper and Lower), Blyth River, Buckingham River, Daly River (Upper and Lower), East Alligator River, Finniss River, Fitzmaurice River, Goomadeer River, Goyder River, Groote Eylandt, Katherine River, Koolatong River, Liverpool River, Mary River, Moyle River, Roper River, South Alligator River, Tiwi Islands, Victoria River (below Kalkarindji), Walker River, Waterhouse River, and Wildman River.
• Western Australia: East Kimberley Rivers.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warning zones should take the following precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater; it is dangerous and conditions can change quickly.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and check road conditions before traveling, as some communities may become isolated.
• Monitor the ABC and local media for updates.
• For emergency assistance, call the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Expected Conditions

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is currently tracking westward through the Gulf of Carpentaria and is forecast to cross into the Northern Territory overnight Saturday into Sunday. The system is expected to bring widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall. Because catchments across the Top End are already wet to saturated, rivers and creeks are likely to respond rapidly to the new rainfall, potentially leading to minor to major flooding.

Timeline

The Flood Watch was issued at 11:51 am ACST on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Heavy rainfall is expected to begin overnight Saturday, with river and creek rises likely to develop from Sunday morning. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 1:00 pm ACST on Sunday, March 22, 2026.