Flood Watch Issued for South Australia Catchments Including Cooper Creek and Flinders Ranges

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Flood Watch Number 12 for parts of South Australia. This alert serves as early advice of possible flooding within specified catchments in the north-eastern, eastern, and central regions of the state.

Affected Areas

The following catchments are likely to be affected by ongoing flooding and overland inundation:

• Danggali Rivers and Creeks
• Flinders Ranges Rivers and Creeks
• Warburton River
• Cooper Creek
• Lake Eyre
• Lake Frome
• Simpson Desert

Adjoining catchments in the Northern Territory and New South Wales are also under current flood watches.

What You Should Do

Residents and travelers in the affected areas are advised to take the following safety precautions:

• Do not drive, walk, swim, or play in floodwater as it is dangerous.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways.
• Obey all road closure signs and plan ahead to avoid driving on flooded roads.
• Check road conditions before attempting any travel, as many bitumen and dirt outback roads are currently impacted.
• For emergency assistance, contact the SES at 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

Expected Conditions

While rainfall has largely eased across the Flood Watch area and no further significant rainfall is expected over the next few days, existing flood impacts are likely to continue through the week. Localised flooding and areas of overland inundation are currently occurring. The majority of major roads in the region are closed, and some communities have become isolated due to the conditions.

Timeline

This alert was issued at 1:42 pm ACDT on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. While no further flooding is likely beyond current levels, existing impacts will only slowly begin to ease. The Bureau of Meteorology expects to issue the next update by 2:00 PM ACDT on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.