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last mo.

Daly River Set to Cross Major Flood Mark, Peak Near 14.1 Metres on Tuesday

Access constraints could keep evacuees waiting days for assessments.

Aerial image of green land, bushes, with a river winding through area and a small community with houses visible
It's a waiting game for locals as flood waters continue to rise around the NT's Daly River. (HANDOUT/NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT)
An aerial image of a remote town with floodwater encroaching on both sides.

Overview

  • River levels reached 13.97 metres on Monday afternoon, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting an exceedance of the 14-metre major flood level late Monday and a peak around 14.1 metres on Tuesday.
  • Nearly all residents — about 300 people — were evacuated to Darwin, and incident control now flags early next week as the best-case window to send assessment teams.
  • Several houses have reported minor water ingress on the community’s north and northwest sides, but the clinic, school buildings and police station remain unaffected by internal flooding.
  • Roads into Daly River are underwater and about three quarters of the airstrip is submerged, leaving essential personnel reliant on boats to move around the community.
  • Forecasters expect a slow recession after the peak with levels staying above moderate flood stage through the week, and authorities note the sewage system remains operational with the 14.5-metre failure threshold not currently forecast.