Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall Issued for Barkly District

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall, classified as a top priority for immediate broadcast. The alert was issued at 5:43 am ACST on Thursday, 19 March 2026, for residents in parts of the Barkly district.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically targets the Barkly forecast district in the Northern Territory. Locations identified as potentially affected by the storm activity include Renner Springs.

Expected Conditions

According to the Bureau, a line of thunderstorms is currently producing heavy rainfall this morning. These severe thunderstorms are likely to continue producing heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

What You Should Do

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) advises residents to take the following safety precautions:

• Travel Safety: Slow down and turn your headlights on. If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.
• Flood Preparation: Create your own sandbags if flooding is imminent by using pillowcases or shopping bags filled with sand, placing them around doorways to protect your home.
• Property and Pets: Secure loose outside objects and ensure all pets and animals are in a safe location.
• General Safety: Avoid remaining in the open when storms threaten. Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• Emergency Help: For assistance in floods or storms, contact the NTES at 132 500.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 5:43 am on Thursday, 19 March 2026. The heavy rainfall and flash flooding threat are expected to persist for the next several hours. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 8:45 am.