Severe Weather Warning for Heavy Rainfall Issued for North East Pastoral District

Alert Details

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rainfall has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for parts of the North East Pastoral district. This is a top-priority renewal alert issued at 11:00 am ACDT on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, due to a rich tropical airmass and surface trough affecting the region.

Affected Areas

The warning primarily impacts the North East Pastoral district in South Australia. Specific locations that may be affected include:

• Moomba
• Innamincka
• The area east of Lake Frome
• The Strzelecki Track south of Moomba

What You Should Do

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises residents and travelers in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Do not drive, ride, or walk through flood water.
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
• Stay indoors and away from windows while conditions are severe.
• Monitor local TV and radio broadcasts for further updates.

Expected Conditions

Heavy rainfall is forecast for the region, which may lead to flash flooding. Meteorologists expect six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm, with the highest amounts likely to occur during thunderstorms. While intense rainfall is no longer expected, the broader risk of heavy rain remains until the system begins to move out of the area. Flood watches and warnings are currently active for the region.

Timeline

The warning is effective immediately. Conditions are expected to ease from late Wednesday afternoon as the upper trough moves across eastern parts of the state. The Bureau of Meteorology will issue the next update by 5:00 pm ACDT Wednesday.