Red Centre floods: Parts of Stuart and Barkly Highways reopen for high clearance vehicles

The Stuart Highway remains closed as flooding sweeps across the Territory. But conditions are expected to ease soon. Read the latest forecast.

Member for Barkly Steve Edgington was on-site to report the Stuart Highway was closed Tennant Creek to Threeways Roadhouse. Picture: Steve Edgington Facebook.

SUNDAY, MARCH 3:

Flooding is set to continue in the Tanamai Desert, Western Barkly and the Central Desert areas with rainfall totals up to 100mm having fallen in the 24 hours to 9am this morning.

The rain has been brought on by north to northeast winds that dragged heavy rainfall and storms along with them.

Catchments in the flood watch areas were already relatively wet following recent rainfall, which meant it only took 40mm of rain to cause the initial flooding.

Rainfall is expected to ease over the rest of Sunday and Monday according to the Bureau of Meteorology, though large and heavy bursts could still develop.

The Stuart Highway remains closed 45km south of Tennant Creek at Edinburgh Creek but has reopened between Threeways Roadhouse to Tennant Creek Bridge for High Clearance 4WD.

The Barkly Highway is has also reopened from the Stuart Highway intersection to Barkly Homestead for High Clearance vehicles only.

SATURDAY, MARCH 2:

Flooding is set to sweep the Red Centre, prompting authorities to issue an emergency service message to local residents expected to be impacted.

On Saturday afternoon, SecureNT issued a statement to confirm Tanamai Desert, Western Barkly and the Central Desert areas were likely to be affected.

Following 40mm of rainfall in the region, SecureNT warned that fast-flowing water, isolation, property damage, and toxic waste were among the risks posed in the area.

SecureNT confirmed highways may be affected and that further rainfall was expected in the coming days.

A short time later, Member for Barkly Steve Edgington took to Facebook to verify the Stuart Highway had been hit by rising water.

“Stuart Highway is closed from the Tennant Creek bridge up to Threeways Roadhouse,” he said.

“Water is over the road up to 500mm.

“There is water over the road in various locations across the Territory so please avoid any unnecessary travel.”

The latest emergency follows back-to-back months of natural disasters for the Territory after severe floods in January was followed by Cyclone Lincoln last month.

For information on road closures, visit the www.roadreport.nt.gov.au.