Flood Watch Issued for South Australia Catchments as Tropical Low Brings Heavy Rainfall

Alert Details

An updated Flood Watch (IDS20374) has been issued by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). This alert provides early advice of possible flooding within specified catchments across South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland, with primary focus on South Australian regions.

Affected Areas

Catchments likely to be affected include:

• Rivers and Creeks: Limestone and Millicent Coast, River Murray in SA, Angas and Bremer, Danggali, Onkaparinga, Torrens and metropolitan rivers, Gawler, Light and Wakefield, Broughton, and Flinders Ranges.
• Desert and Inland Regions: Warburton River, Cooper Creek, Lake Eyre, Lake Frome, Simpson Desert, West Coast Rivers, and Eastern Great Victoria Desert.
• Peninsulas: Fleurieu Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, and Yorke Peninsula.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers are advised to exercise extreme caution. Safety advice from the BOM includes:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater.
• Check road conditions before traveling, as many bitumen and dirt outback roads are currently impacted by flooding.
• Be aware that some communities are currently isolated due to major road closures.

Expected Conditions

A tropical low pressure system over northern South Australia is extending a trough southwards. This system is increasing the risk of heavy, locally intense rainfall, particularly in the far east of the state. While widespread riverine flooding is no longer likely for the Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, and Adelaide metropolitan area, these regions remain under watch for isolated minor flooding and flash flooding. The highest rainfall totals are expected across the eastern Flinders, eastern Mid North, southern North East Pastoral, and Riverland districts.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 1:17 pm ACDT on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Showers, thunderstorms, and rain areas are forecast to contract eastwards during Monday, March 2, and are expected to clear by Monday evening. Local impacts in the West Coast and Eastern Great Victoria Desert may continue for several days despite easing rainfall.