Flood advice downgraded for Alice Springs, Tanami, Central and Western Desert
A flood alert for the Red Centre has been downgraded, with roads closed as the rain clears. Read the latest info the authorities want you to know.
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Update, April 3: Some highways running through the Territory heartland are shut as a flood alert for the region is downgraded by authorities.
The Todd River is flowing in Alice Springs after days of rain, as the latest SecureNT flood alert said the flood threat is decreasing.
On Thursday morning, the sun was back out in Alice Springs, as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Dianne dissipated over the NT.
Secure NT issued the first flood alert on Friday, March 28, warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms over the Tanami, Western and Central Deserts, and MacDonnell Ranges catchments.
But now as the rain clears, roads such as the Plenty Highway and Sandover Highway are shut, while many others are deemed impassable.
“Localised flooding and disruption to transport routes across parts of the Flood Watch area may persist over the next few days, however further significant river and creek level rises are not expected,” the alert said.
Motorists are urged to check the road report before travelling.
On April 3, NT Police Southern Watch commander Leigh Yates said police had not yet performed any rescues of drivers.
In Alice Springs, punters gathered in the Todd River Wednesday afternoon to make the most of the water flowing through the usually dry river.
Families were seen playing in the river, with kids waiting for cars to drive past so they could get splashed by the water.
Further south, images posted to social media show waterfalls running down Uluru.
Flood advice: Todd River flowing north of Alice Springs
Initial, April 1: The Todd River is flowing at a “minor level” with a flood alert issued for Alice Springs and the Territory heartland after days of rain in the region.
SecureNT issued the alert Tuesday afternoon, warning residents of run-off within the Todd River, while the Tanami, Western and Central Deserts, and MacDonnell Ranges catchments are on flood watch.
The alert is currently at advice level, and said the Todd is currently flowing at a “minor level” of 1.08m at the Wrigley Gorge catchment, located north of Alice Springs.
“No flows are currently recorded in Todd River at Anzac Oval, however it is possible that a minor flow will reach Anzac Oval in approximately two hours. Currently there is no evidence of flow at the Anzac Oval gauge,” the alert states.
“Minor rainfall is continuing within the catchment. However presently we are not expecting flow at Anzac Oval to exceed the Category A level.”
The alert is urging punters travelling to check road reports before getting behind the wheel.
The alert is the third issued in over four days, with the first issued on Friday ahead of storms coming to the Territory heartland.
The storms come across the NT after ex-tropical cyclone Diane made landfall over north west WA and continued travelling eastwards.
The alert issued on Tuesday has the cyclone weakening within the next 24 hours, however rain totals of up 55mm are possible.
At the time of writing, the Bureau of Meteorology was predicting showers will continue in Alice Springs on Wednesday, before clearing up on Thursday.
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Originally published as Flood advice downgraded for Alice Springs, Tanami, Central and Western Desert
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