Alice Springs police warn against swimming in flooded Todd River

Police have warned Alice Springs residents to stop their ‘idiotic behaviour’ and stay safe on the shore as the Todd River flows.

March 25: Alice Springs residents who are treating the flowing Todd River as a swimming pool have been warned against continuing their “idiotic behaviour” by police.

Southern Watch Commander Robert Griffiths said there had been no recorded deaths or injuries so far – as seen in previous years – but held concerns for Central Australian’s safety.

He urged the river’s admirers to stay out of the rushing water and stop putting themselves and emergency services at risk.

“Grow up and observe it from the side,” he said.

“It’s quite challenging and difficult to read the strength of those waters and people can quite easily be sucked under the water which we’ve certainly seen occur in years gone.”

Sergeant Griffiths said the flooding had not caused any reported property damage but had closed off all causeways – except Taffy Pick – and damaged the roads.

He said the water covering some roads had hidden potholes in the road’s surface and urged drivers to travel carefully.

“Further work will be done by DIPL to assess the roads once the waters have cleared,” he said.

“We believe that no schools have been impacted and all schools are likely to be open today.”

He said St Phillip’s College could have access issues on Monday morning and he suggested students and families call the school for further information.

Todd River flowing March 2024.

March 24: Jubilation as Todd flows during Wet season rains

Alice Springs residents old and new are rejoicing at the flooding of the usually dry Todd River after heavy rainfall during recent days.

The Bureau of Meteorology is reporting at least 70mm of rain fell on the town in the past 24 hours in addition to big downpours in previous days.

NT Emergency Services posted an advisory at 10am on Sunday that there was no immediate danger, but urged residents to stay up to date in case the situation changes.

It predicted the river would rise to about 1.8m late on Sunday, and subside to about 1.4m in coming days.

“A rain band and surface trough extends over central and southern parts of the Northern Territory, combining to produce showers, thunderstorms, and periods of rain for the next few days,” the statement said.

Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne took a selfie.

“Catchments in the Flood Watch area are relatively wet and responsive to rainfall, and river levels remain elevated and rising throughout the Todd River catchment.

“Isolated rainfall totals up to 70mm were recorded across the catchment in the 24 hours to 9am Sunday following several days of widespread falls.

Rain and thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls are forecast over the next few days, with widespread daily falls of 30mm-70mm possible as well as isolated falls of 120mm.

Although it generally floods at least once a year, the Todd River is usually dry and the town laps it up when Wet season rains from Northern Australia make their way to the Centre.

Every man and his baby and dog were checking out the Todd.

Social media was full of images, videos and commentary from residents enjoying the spectacle of their dry river flowing freely.

Action for Alice 2020 lived up to its name, with an image posted on its website showing revellers using a range of flotation devices including a unicorn to float down the fast-flowing waterway.

“For those not from here, the Todd River is usually a dry river bed,” it said. “Constant rain for the last few days in town and surrounding areas have resulted in the Todd flowing. A magnificent sight.”

Resident Kenneth Lechleitner posted an image of himself with friends standing alongside the fast flowing river with the caption “The Todd River is running … lovely”.

“Every time the Todd flows … it brings out the inner youth of excitement,” he said.

Kirstin Riel and Andrew Wilsmore were seeing flooding for the first time. “Seeing the Todd River flow is always a spectacular sight, especially after having only just recently moved here,” Kirstin wrote.

“Loving the change in weather.”