Flood Watch Issued for North-Eastern and Central South Australia Catchments

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued an initial Flood Watch (ID: IDS20374) for parts of north-eastern and central South Australia. This alert provides early advice of possible flooding within specified catchments as a tropical low moves into the region.

Affected Areas

The following catchments are likely to be affected by rising water levels and potential flooding:

• Flinders Ranges Rivers and Creeks
• North West Lake Torrens
• Warburton River
• Cooper Creek
• Lake Eyre
• Lake Frome
• Finke River and Stephenson Creek
• Simpson Desert
• Lake Gairdner

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the warning area should take the following precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater. It is dangerous and unpredictable.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and all waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan ahead to avoid driving on flooded roads.
• Check road conditions before traveling, as some communities may become isolated due to overland inundation.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Expected Conditions

A trough over northern South Australia, connected to a deepening tropical low over the southern Northern Territory, will combine with a very humid and unstable airmass. This system is expected to produce widespread heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Expected impacts include river and creek level rises, localised flooding, and overland inundation. From Monday, the focus of the heaviest rainfall is likely to be over the Pastoral districts closer to the low.

Timeline

The risk of local heavy falls will develop starting Sunday, February 22, 2026, and is expected to continue through at least mid-next week. The Bureau of Meteorology will issue the next update by 1:00 PM ACDT on Saturday, February 21, 2026.