Daly River residents alarmed after spotting crocodiles in town during flood

FLOODWATERS have brought crocodiles into the streets of Daly River, where a number of dogs have already been snapped up.

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AS THE Daly River swelled to dangerous levels and water lapped at their doorsteps, residents of the small township south of Darwin had other more serious concerns keeping them awake at night — crocodiles.

Daly River locals reported seeing a saltwater crocodile drag two dog bodies away as more crocodiles were spotted from helicopters as they evacuated the town.

Resident James Parry, one of 400 who arrived in Darwin over the last two days, said he could see one crocodile in the middle of the footy field — just near his house.

“You can be sleeping back at Daly and you’d be thinking about the water and where is the croc going to come from,” he told the NT News.

“I hope they’re not my dogs, the ones that got taken — I took mine to my sister’s because she lives on higher land.”

Water levels reached the doorstep of Mr Parry’s elevated home.

“I can launch my boat from the house if I wanted to,” he said.

“The water was right up to the door.

“It was shocking, terrified aye.

“We were just watching the water come into the house, and sweeping it out, but we can’t sweep it anywhere.”

“When I looked back, when I was in the chopper I had tears in my eyes aye, when I looked back to land,” he said.

“It was a terrible sight — I’ve been there all my life.”

Mr Parry assisted Power and Water to shut off power before leaving.

“It was five minutes notice and then yeah, pack ya swag and just go,” he said.

“I couldn’t even put my air conditioner away.”

Darwin Metropolitan Commander Brent Warren said many residents evacuated to Darwin had serious concerns for their animals.

“We have an animal welfare team planning how to deal with pets left in the area,” he said.

“People just want to know when they’re going to be able to go back home — two weeks in Darwin probably wasn’t their plan.”

Daly River residents are using tinnies to get around the flooded community. PICTURE: Aaron McTaggart

The Daly River is rampant with crocodiles at this time of year.

In March, a 4.38m crocodile was caught at Naiyu that had apparently taken several dogs in the area.

In December last year, a 4.7m monster was caught at the Daly River Mango Farm boat ramp.

Police warned everyone in the Top End to stay away from all water ways at this time of the year.

“All rivers are dangerous due to intensive flooding and water levels — think about whether you need to go,” Mr Warren said.

“People also need to be conscious of road closures due to water over the road.

“It can happen in a short time frame — people have found themselves caught out on the wrong side of the river.”

Over 400 residents from Daly River arrived in Darwin over the last two days as their streets became rivers and many ground level homes became victim to persistent rain over the last three days.

Residents were taken to Five Mile, just outside of Daly River, on tinnies where they caught a helicopter to Batchelor before having a meal and bussing to Darwin.

Children and Families Department chief executive Anne Bradford said sport activities will be provided to the evacuees, as well as three meals a day plus snacks and night supper thanks to government and non-government organisations.

One of those is Food Bank NT, who have a Memorandum of Understanding with the NT Government to assist during emergencies.

That’s despite facing imminent risk of closure before the next financial year due to a lack of government funding.

Chief executive Peter Fisher said Food Bank NT has provided two pellets of water, bread, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, soap and women’s hygiene products.

“Funding is running out, and we’re not going to make it to the end of this financial year,” Mr Fisher said.