Wet weather, damaging winds continue to lash the Territory as main road to QLD remains closed

About 500mm has fallen in four days over one Territory roadhouse while more rain and storms are forecast for the Top End this NYE. Read the latest weather updates.

A multi-day deluge bringing about 500mm of rain has forced an embattled Territory roadhouse to lose business once again.

It comes as a spate of wet weather hits the Top End while ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie continues to linger near the NT-Western Australia border.

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse in the Territory’s east has been inundated with rain, reporting 500mm in just four days.

“Water is slowly subsiding, however the Barkly Highway to Queensland remains closed,” the business posted on social media on Thursday.

The Barkly Highway remains closed to the Queensland border after flooding and damage. Picture: Road Report NT

“The highway repairs are starting today due to significant damage and the police are monitoring the road.”

On Wednesday roadhouse staff said the water was “knee deep in places”, resulting in power being cut to fuel bowsers and septic systems.

The bowsers were up and running again on Thursday however the highway remained closed from the roadhouse, beside the Tablelands Highway intersection, to the Queensland border.

The business only reopened earlier this month after a fire destroyed the roadhouse’s kitchen.

Barkly Homestead Roadhouse has been inundated with 500mm in four days, while the highway is closed from the business to the Queensland border. Picture: Barkly Homestead Roadhouse

Darwin Airport has recorded 60mm in the 24 hours to 9am Thursday, with that rainfall expected to be matched in the next daily recording period.

A very high chance of showers dumping up to 70mm over Darwin is forecast for New Year’s Eve, as well as the chance of a severe thunderstorm.

Strong winds of up to 40km/h are also expected over the weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie to be located just north of Halls Creek in the Kimberley on Thursday morning, forecast to track slowly west.

A severe weather warning for people in parts of Daly and Gregory districts issued by BOM on Thursday 29 December 2022. Map: BOM

A severe weather warning of heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding remains for western parts of the Daly and Gregory districts.

24-hour totals to 200mm are possible in the area, as well as damaging wind gusts of up to 100km/h.

A minor flood warning continues for the Upper Victoria River while flood watches are also in place for the Bonaparte coastal rivers and northwest coastal rivers.

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