Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding for Arnhem, Carpentaria, and Daly Districts

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe thunderstorm warning (IDD21033) for heavy rainfall. The alert is classified as a top priority for immediate broadcast due to the potential for hazardous conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning area includes parts of the Daly, Arnhem, and Carpentaria districts in the Northern Territory. Specific locations that may be affected by the storm system include Jabiru, Nauiyu, Adelaide River, Pine Creek, Cooinda, and Peppimenarti.

What You Should Do

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) advises residents in the warning area to take the following actions:

• Slow down and turn your vehicle headlights on.
• Create your own sandbags to protect your home by filling pillowcases or shopping bags with sand and placing them around doorways.
• Secure loose outside objects.
• Ensure pets and animals are safe.
• Avoid remaining in the open when storms threaten.
• If it is raining heavily and you cannot see while driving, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.
• Avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current.
• For emergency help in floods, storms, and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500.

Expected Conditions

A very moist airmass is currently interacting with the monsoon trough to produce heavy rainfall in slow-moving thunderstorms across the inland Top End. These severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding. Significant rainfall has already been observed, with 128 mm recorded at Dorisvale Crossing in the three hours leading up to 10:06 pm.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 12:17 am ACST on Friday, 6 March 2026. The situation is expected to persist over the next several hours. The next official update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled to be issued by 3:20 am.