Flood Watch Issued for South Australia: Heavy Rainfall Threatens Multiple Catchments

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch (IDS20374) for several catchments across South Australia. This alert serves as early advice for possible flooding due to a slow-moving low-pressure system and associated trough. The warning is classified as a major warning group type.

Affected Areas

The watch covers a broad geographic range across South Australia, including:

• Metropolitan & Central: Torrens and metropolitan rivers and creeks, Gawler River, Onkaparinga River, and the Adelaide region.
• Ranges & Peninsulas: Flinders Ranges, Mount Lofty Ranges, and Fleurieu Peninsula.
• Rivers & Catchments: Angas and Bremer, Broughton, Light and Wakefield, River Murray (localised flooding only), and Limestone and Millicent Coast Rivers and Creeks.
• Northern & Pastoral: Simpson Desert, Lake Eyre, Warburton River, Lake Frome, Danggali Rivers and Creeks, Cooper Creek, Eastern Great Victoria Desert, and West Coast Rivers and Creeks.

What You Should Do

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

• Don’t 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.
• Monitor the ABC and local media for rapid situation changes.
• For local emergency management warnings and advice, visit www.ses.sa.gov.au.

Expected Conditions

A slow-moving low-pressure system over the southern Northern Territory is driving widespread moderate to heavy rainfall. Forecasts indicate:

• Rainfall Totals: Widespread daily totals of 30-50 mm are expected, with localized falls potentially reaching 100 mm.
• Impacts: River and creek level rises, localized flooding, and overland inundation are occurring and likely to become more extensive. Many bitumen and dirt outback roads are currently impacted, resulting in the isolation of some communities.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 1:01 pm CDT on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Flooding is expected to continue and potentially become more extensive over the next few days. Significant rainfall is specifically forecast for catchments around the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Adelaide region starting Sunday.