Major Flood Warning Issued for Katherine River and Katherine Town Due to Tropical Cyclone Narelle

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Major Flood Warning (IDD20555) for the Katherine River. The warning was issued at 10:09 am ACST on Saturday, 21 March 2026, in response to forecast impacts from Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the Katherine River catchment in the Northern Territory, including:

• Katherine River Gorge Road
• Nitmiluk Centre
• Katherine Bridge
• Katherine Town
• Katherine River near Birdie Creek and Seventeen Mile Creek

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers are urged not to 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 flooded roads. For emergency assistance, call the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately. Monitor local media and visit www.securent.nt.gov.au for updates.

Expected Conditions

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to bring widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall to parts of the Top End, causing rapid river level rises.

Nitmiluk Centre: Currently at 2.17 m. It is expected to exceed the minor flood level (3.00 m) Sunday morning and may exceed moderate (5.50 m) and major (6.50 m) flood levels overnight Sunday into Monday.

Katherine Bridge: Currently at 10.11 m and falling. It is likely to exceed the minor flood level (16.00 m) overnight Sunday into Monday. The river may exceed the moderate (16.5 m) level Monday morning and the major (17.5 m) flood level by Monday afternoon.

Timeline

• Saturday, 21 March: Heavy rainfall begins late Saturday.
• Sunday Morning, 22 March: Minor flooding expected at Nitmiluk Centre.
• Overnight Sunday: Major flooding possible at Nitmiluk Centre; minor flooding likely at Katherine Bridge.
• Monday Morning, 23 March: Moderate flooding possible at Katherine Bridge.
• Monday Afternoon, 23 March: Major flooding possible at Katherine Bridge.

The next update is scheduled to be issued by 11:00 AM ACST on Sunday, 22 March 2026.