‘In the event an evacuation is required, residents will be bussed into Darwin’: Authorities brace for possible moderate flooding at Daly River

AUTHORITIES are bracing for a possible flood event at Daly River with waters expected to soon reach moderate flood levels

• Warnings issued as flooding expected in the Top End

AUTHORITIES are bracing for a possible flood event at Daly River with waters expected to reach moderate flood levels on Thursday night.

Current forecasting indicates the river could reach a peak of between 13.6m and 13.8m, short of the “major” flood level category, before levelling out on Friday and over the weekend.

Incident controller Janelle Tonkin said there was no request or requirement from officials for residents to leave the community.

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“There has been no evacuation order as yet — the thresholds for evacuation have not been met for this to occur,” she said.

“The community is experienced with flood preparation and know what to do if needed. That said, planning is well under way if the situation changes and the predicted river height passes that threshold.”

Cmdr Tonkin said the approximately 330 Daly River residents were well prepared and “know what to expect” after the river reached 13.7m in 2014, when evacuations weren’t required.

The last major flood in Daly River was in 2018 when water levels peaked at 14.58m.

“At that height, minor flooding occurs in some houses, however the affected residents can be accommodated either with friends or at the local school,” she said.

But Cmdr Tonkin said police and emergency services had sent additional staff and boats to the community in case they were needed to move people in low lying areas.

“In the event an evacuation is required, residents will be bussed into Darwin where they will be accommodated in an evacuation centre at Foskey’s Pavilion at the Darwin Showgrounds,” she said.

The Northern Region Emergency Committee continues to meet to support the planning and response phases while engagement with the weather bureau and other key stakeholders is also ongoing.

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The Daly River last flooded in 2018 when the town was evacuated after waters peaked at 14.58m.

Stay updated on rain and river conditions at www.bom.gov.au and for information about preparing for floods, visit www.securent.nt.gov.au

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