Flood Watch Issued for Top End, Central, and Inland Regions of Western Australia and Northern Territory

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Flood Watch Number 19 for parts of the Top End, Central, Western, and Eastern Inland areas. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding within specified catchments across Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Affected Areas

The following catchments are included in the flood watch:

• East Kimberley Rivers
• Upper Victoria River (Flood warning current)
• Victoria River below Kalkarindji (Flood warning current)
• Fitzmaurice River
• Moyle River
• Katherine River (Minor flood warning current)
• Daly River above Douglas River
• Lower Daly River (Major flood warning current)
• Roper River
• Finke River and Stephenson Creek
• MacDonnell Ranges
• Simpson Desert
• Sturt Creek District
• Western Desert
• Central Desert
• Tanami Desert

Flooding is no longer expected in the Waterhouse and Barkly catchments.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to:

• Avoid driving, walking, swimming, or playing in floodwaters as it is dangerous.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan travel to avoid flooded roads.
• Check road conditions before traveling, as roads may become impassable and communities or homesteads may become isolated.
• Monitor local media and the ABC for updates.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening situations, call 000 immediately.

Expected Conditions

A tropical low situated in northern Western Australia is feeding rich tropical moisture along a surface trough, while an upper trough passes through southern Western Australia. These systems are expected to generate widespread moderate to heavy rainfall through Sunday and into the coming week. Because catchments are already wet from recent rain, this forecast rainfall is likely to cause significant water level rises in rivers and creeks, along with prolonged overland flooding and ponding.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 11:07 am ACST on Sunday, 15 March 2026. The next update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled to be issued by 1:00 pm ACST on Monday, 16 March 2026.