Major Flood Warning Issued for Daly River as Tropical Cyclone Narelle Approaches

Alert Details

A Major Flood Warning (IDD20545) has been issued by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology for the Daly River. This is the 28th warning issued for this event, indicating prolonged major flooding conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the Daly River at the Daly River Police Station and the Lower Daly River region. Current river height observations include:

• Daly River at Daly River Police Station: 14.68 m (Falling slowly)
• Daly River at Dorisvale Crossing: 20.24 m (Steady)
• Douglas River at Douglas Crossing: 7.16 m (Rising)
• Daly River at Mount Nancar: 17.61 m (Steady)

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are urged to take the following safety precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and other waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan travel to avoid flooded routes.
• 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

Significant major flooding is ongoing. While the river level at the Daly River Police Station is currently 14.68 m and falling slowly, it remains well above the major flood level of 14.00 m. This follows a peak of 16.42 m reached last Sunday, which exceeded the historic 1998 flood level of 16.25 m. Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to bring widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall over the Daly River catchment in the coming days, which may lead to renewed river level rises.

Timeline

The river is expected to remain above the major flood level for the remainder of the weekend and into next week. Renewed rises are possible starting Sunday, March 22, due to forecast rainfall. The Bureau of Meteorology will issue the next update by 11:30 AM ACST on Sunday.