Watch and Act notice issued for Victoria River and Daly River as floodwaters rise

The Daly River region has been warned to get their emergency plans prepared as flood waters threaten properties, with the same Watch and Act warning still in place for Victoria River. FREE READ.

People in the Victoria River region are being told to Watch and Act as floodwaters rise. Picture: Road Report NT

People in the Victoria River region are being warned about the threat of rising floodwaters after days of heavy rains.

People in the Victoria River region are being warned about the threat of rising floodwaters after days of heavy rains.

The Victoria Hwy is closed between the Buntine Hwy and Western Australian border due to flooding, as a Watch and Act in the Victoria River region remains in place.

As of Wednesday water levels at Williams Crossing, Dashwood Crossing and Coolibah Crossing are currently above the road crossings.

River levels are also rising between Battle Creek and Armstrong River, with levels at Dashwood Crossing currently at 12.75m and rising.

Similar rises are happening at the Victoria River Crossing, which is currently at 13.7m still below the bridge deck level, which is 19.5m.

Further rises are possible with further rainfall forecast.

Risks faced by people in the area include property damage and destruction, and being cut off from roads or services.

Fast flowing flood waters can contain objects that might injure or trap anyone caught in them, and may also contain toxic waste, chemicals and dangerous animals.

The notice raised the possibility of livestock, other animals and pets becoming isolated in the waters.

A Watch and Act notice was first issued on Monday advising households in the area southwest of Katherine to enact their emergency plans.

The Victoria River at Kalkarindji was currently at 2.37 metres and steady, while the water level along the Campfield River were likely to remain above the bridge deck for a few days.

Totals of between 70 – 140mm of rain fell across parts of the Victoria River basin in the two days to 9am Monday.

River levels above some road crossings included Wickham River at Williams Crossing, Victoria River at Dashwood Crossing and further downstream at Coolibah Crossing.

Emergency services advise people in the area to:

• Enact your household emergency plan now
• Prepare your property now, ensure loose items are secure
• Monitor conditions via bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/
• Avoid the area and do not enter flood waters
• roadreport.nt.gov.au for latest road conditions.

Meanwhile a Bureau of Meteorology flood watch remains in place for the North Western Rivers, Bonaparte and western parts of Carpentaria, with Port Keats Airport at Wadeye receiving a staggering 506mm of rain in the 48 hours to Monday morning.

“Wadeye has experienced significant rainfall in the last 72 hours, that rainfall has impacted on the community, the airstrip and the road,” Police Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said.

“The Bureau have advised us that that system is a low that is near the Wadeye community that’s moving to the east.

“The advice is that there will be heavy rainfall, particularly in the western parts of the Top End – rainfall up to 150 millimetres. That rainfall could cause some isolated flooding, flash flooding.”

For emergency service in floods, storms or cyclones call 132 500 and in a life-threatening situation call triple-0.

Flood warnings for Daly River region upgraded to watch and act

January 17: Flood warnings for the Daly River region have been upgraded to Watch and Act after multiple days of heavy rainfalls.

The region was put on an advice warning on Tuesday, but it was upgraded as of 8.12am Wednesday with advice to households to enact their emergency plans.

Risks posed to the people in the area include property damage and destruction, and fast flowing flood water which may contain objects which can injure and trap people.

Residents have also been warned to keep their pets and livestock enclosed if possible, as they may become isolated as a result of the flooding.

Emergency services urge people to secure loose items, not to enter flood waters and monitor condition through www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/.

The Daly River Police Station has recorded 11.99m and is rising.

While it is below the minor flood level of 12.6m, it is expected to pass that level by Wednesday evening.

The river level may reach the moderate flood level of 13.1m by Thursday afternoon, with rainfall currently forecast.

A severe weather warning remains current with heavy rainfall and damaging winds expected for the Daly, Tiwi, Arnhem, Gregory, and parts of the Carpentaria, Barkly and Tanami regions