Severe Weather Warning: Life-Threatening Flash Flooding Forecast for North East Pastoral District, SA

Alert Details

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy and locally intense rainfall has been issued by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The alert is currently active for the North East Pastoral forecast district as of 10:56 am ACDT Sunday, 22 February 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers parts of the North East Pastoral district. Locations that may be affected include:

• Moomba
• Oodnadatta
• Innamincka
• Dalhousie Springs
• Simpson Desert Conservation Park
• Mungeranie on the Birdsville Track

What You Should Do

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises residents and travelers in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Do not drive, ride, or walk through flood water.
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
• Stay indoors and away from windows while conditions are severe.
• Monitor TV and radio broadcasts for updates or call 1300 659 210.

Expected Conditions

A slow-moving low pressure system over the southern Northern Territory is interacting with an extremely humid airmass, a cold front, and an upper trough. This system is expected to produce widespread rainfall across South Australia.

Heavy Rainfall: Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely, with 24-hourly totals between 50 and 80 mm. Isolated areas may see up to 100 mm.

Intense Rainfall: Embedded thunderstorms may cause locally intense rainfall, with six-hourly totals reaching approximately 90 mm. This level of precipitation may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

Timeline

Conditions are expected to deteriorate starting Sunday night, 22 February 2026. Meteorologists indicate this will likely be a prolonged event for northeast South Australia, with periods of heavy rainfall expected to persist for most of the week. The next update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled for 5:00 pm ACDT Sunday.