Up to 400mm of rain forecast across NT in wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie

Some parts of the Territory will cop almost half a metre of rain in the next 24 hours as ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie moves south, with road closures in place. Find out where will be hit hardest.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie continues to drench parts of the Territory, with fresh weather alerts warning some areas could be set for almost half a metre of rain.

A severe weather warning is in place for the Barkly and Simpson regions as the tropical low, which made landfall as a category one cyclone on Thursday night, moves across the NT.

The Bureau of Meteorology said about 4.30am on Monday, ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie was sitting 50km east to southeast of Tennant Creek and was expected to remain over southwestern parts of the Barkly region, causing widespread and prolonged heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

The Bureau said six-hourly rainfall totals of between 70mm and 100mm were likely across the regions, with up to 200mm possible in the next 24 hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast as much as 400mm of rain for the Barkly region. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

Intense rainfall leading to life-threatening flash flooding in the Barkly region was possible, with six-hourly totals forecast between 100mm and 200mm and as much as 400mm of rain was a chance to hit east of Tennant Creek in the next 24 hours.

Gusts of up to 90km/h could also hit the area.

Timber Creek was cut off from the rest of the Territory when a “one-in-50-year” flooding event hit the tiny Victoria Hwy town. Picture: Supplied

A flood watch remains in place for a number of inland rivers and catchments across the Territory.

Areas at risk include Tennant Creek, Ali Curung, Alpurrurulam, Ampilatwatja, Barrow Creek and Renner Springs.

On Christmas Day, Tennant Creek received 61mm of rain after 38mm fell on Christmas Eve.

Other parts of the Territory was drenched over the weekend with almost 200mm of rain falling in 24 hours in some areas.

A 74-year-old woman was rescued from floodwaters at Timber Creek after her car was washed off a bridge during flash flooding. Picture: Supplied

In the 24 hours to 9am on Christmas Day, Upper Townsend Creek copped 193mm of rain, while Townsend Creek received 185mm and 166mm of rain fell at Armstrong River.

On Sunday, the NT government declared an emergency situation after a “one-in-50-year” flooding event hit Timber Creek and isolated it from the rest of the Territory.

Parts of the Victoria Hwy were closed, cutting off access either side of the town as well as access to Western Australia.

The Victoria Hwy remained closed either side of Timber Creek on Monday morning.

The Stuart Hwy is open between Tennant Creek and Devils Marbles to high clearance 4WD vehicles and 80 per cent axle limit on trucks.

Motorists have been urged to drive with caution due to water over the highway at some places.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said many Timber Creek residents were returning home over the weekend after they were forced to shelter on the town’s basketball court.

“The Territory government remains stood up to assist Territorians with flooding which is occurring across the Territory,” she said.

A 74-year-old woman was rescued from floodwaters and carried 200m to safety on Friday after her car was swept off a bridge.

In the 24 hours to 9am on Christmas Eve, the tiny town copped 241mm of rain, with 157mm falling in just six hours.

Originally published as Up to 400mm of rain forecast across NT in wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie