Severe Weather Warning: Intense Rainfall and Flash Flooding Threaten Northern South Australia

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Weather Warning (IDS21037) for heavy and locally intense rainfall. This is a high-priority alert for residents in the northern pastoral regions of South Australia.

Affected Areas

The warning covers parts of the North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral districts. Specific locations that may be affected include Marla, Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Marree, Ernabella, and Amata.

What You Should Do

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises residents 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 remain severe.

Expected Conditions

A tropical low in the southwestern Northern Territory is feeding moisture along a surface trough, combined with an upper trough moving across the Nullarbor coast.

• Heavy Rainfall: Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely, with 24-hourly totals between 80 and 120 mm. Isolated falls could reach 160 mm.
• Intense Rainfall: Locally intense rainfall may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding. Six-hourly totals between 80 and 100 mm are likely, with isolated peaks up to 120 mm possible, particularly in the northwestern parts of the North East Pastoral district.

Timeline

The risk of heavy rainfall persists from Monday, 16 March 2026, through Wednesday. Heavy rain is expected to move slowly eastwards during the day on Monday. Intense rainfall is forecast to become more likely north of Marree from late Monday evening and may begin to ease later on Tuesday morning.