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NT remote communities set to be evacuated amid major flood disaster | ABC NEWS
Summary
A major flood disaster is unfolding in the Northern Territory, particularly affecting Katherine Town Centre. Floodwaters are overwhelming the levee system, which was constructed in 2022 to protect the area from significant flooding.
The Katherine River is expected to peak at 19.2 meters, surpassing levels reached during the last major flooding event in 2006. This situation is already causing widespread flooding and impacting local businesses and infrastructure.
The community of Daly River is facing rapid evacuation as river levels are predicted to exceed 14 meters tonight. Other small remote communities, such as Palumpa, are also experiencing severe flooding, necessitating air evacuations for residents.
Emergency services report that many homes will be significantly impacted, with residents facing a second evacuation in a short period. The Chief Minister has indicated that the damage from this flooding could be extensive, affecting both residential and commercial properties.
Perspectives
Flooding situation critical in Northern Territory.
Emergency Services and Government Officials
- Report significant flooding in Katherine Town Centre
- Highlight the overwhelming of the levee system built in 2022
- Indicate that the Katherine River is expected to peak at 19.2 meters
- Confirm the evacuation of the Daly River community due to rising river levels
- State that many homes and businesses will be severely impacted
- Mention the ongoing need for air evacuations in affected areas
Residents and Local Community
- Express concerns about repeated evacuations due to flooding
- Fear the long-term impact of flooding on homes and businesses
- Question the effectiveness of the levee system in extreme weather events
- Worry about the potential for further rainfall and its effects on recovery
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledge the wet season is more intense than usual
- Note that thunderstorms are expected to bring additional rainfall
Metrics
river_peak
19.2 meters
expected peak level of the Katherine River
This level surpasses the last major flooding event in 2006, indicating severe risk to the community.
the river is expected to peak at around 19.2 metres
emergency_department_access
20 individuals people
number of individuals accessing the emergency department
This reflects the immediate health impacts of the flooding on the population.
20 people access the emergency department
major_flood_level
14 meters
expected flood level for Daly River
Exceeding this level indicates a critical situation for the community.
expected to exceed a major flood level of 14 metres tonight
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Floodwaters are overwhelming the levee system in Katherine Town Centre, with the Katherine River expected to peak at 19.2 meters. The community of Daly River is being evacuated as river levels are anticipated to exceed 14 meters tonight.
- Floodwaters are entering Katherine Town Centre and overwhelming the levee system built in 2022. The Katherine River is expected to peak at around 19.2 meters, surpassing levels from the last major flooding event in 2006, leading to significant impacts on residents and homes
- The community of Daly River is being evacuated due to rapidly rising river levels expected to exceed a major flood level of 14 meters tonight. Emergency services are responding as the river continues to rise over the next 24 hours
- In Palumpa, major flooding is occurring, and the airstrip is being used to evacuate residents by air. Some residents are being winched to safety via helicopters due to the severity of the flooding
- NT Chief Minister Leia Fennock-Yara reported that 377 people are currently sheltering in Katherine, with 20 individuals accessing the emergency department. The damage from the flooding is expected to be widespread, impacting homes and businesses
- The Bureau of Meteorology indicates that the current wet season is wetter than usual, with multiple weather systems contributing to heavy rainfall. Although prolonged heavy rain is easing, thunderstorms are expected tonight, which may prolong flooding conditions