Australia Weather News

Homes, businesses and roads have been damaged following this week's flash flooding in Alice Springs, as leaders call for better flood mitigation measures.

Dangerous thunderstorms caused the usually dry Todd River to rise dramatically on Thursday, but the town's weather warnings have now been cancelled and clean-up efforts have begun.

NT Police deputy regional commander James Gray-Spence said some houses had been inundated by floodwaters — including on Dixon Road, north of town, and along riverside streets Leichhardt Terrace and South Terrace — but the main impact around Central Australia was on roads, particularly unsealed sections of the network.

"They're saturated and if you can stay off them, it will assist the contractors restoring any access to our local communities," he said.

"There's still a lot of water in the catchment however we don't anticipate large levels of water coming down through the Todd River, it will continue to recede, but be aware of floodwaters and stay out of them." 

Flood damage causes relief service to close

A community organisation that provides emergency relief and financial help to vulnerable people, Lutheran Care, was forced to temporarily pause services after its Gregory Terrace building was inundated.

Lutheran Care executive Susan Richards said the organisation had only recently moved into the space — situated along the Todd River — and had "no idea" the building was at risk of flooding.

She said Lutheran Care supports up to 100 people every week and the closure of their service would have a significant impact.

"As a result of this [flash flood], we've lost hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of food and goods that we would normally give out," she said.

"So it's had a big impact on our service delivery."

The organisation is calling on the community for donations, including food and blankets, to support locals facing additional challenges after the flood event.

Calls for leaders to 'get serious' about mitigation

Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour called on all levels of government to "get serious" about investing in flood mitigation strategies for Alice Springs.

The local MP spent Friday speaking to businesses along the Todd River, including Lutheran Care, who were also impacted by the flash flooding event.

"We've got to, as a matter of urgency, start putting in place flood mitigation strategies," she said.

"Looking at early warning systems for the Todd River, for example, I think that's absolutely critical."

Ms Scrymgour called on Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne and the federal member for disaster management, Kristy McBain, to discuss how flooding impacts could be reduced in the future.

"Things like early warning systems, do we have way to notify people the river is coming up and we could have a flood?" she said.

"None of that is really in play here in Alice Springs."

Ms Scrymgour suggested mitigation strategies including dredging the river, addressing the build-up of silt, and removing buffel grass could be discussed.

Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill said she held "deep concerns" about reports from local community members who felt under-informed about the flooding event.

"There was a week leading up to this event of heavy rain and so it's important all the relevant parties meet and talk about what worked, what didn't and what we can do better next time," she said.

"We know there will be a next time and our residents need to feel informed and prepared."

Flooding in other parts of the NT

The widespread rain has led to recent flooding in several areas across the territory.

Residents from Daly River were evacuated to Darwin last week ahead of floods authorities later reported were impacting "quite a number of homes" with "ankle-deep" water.

On Saturday afternoon, Secure NT said police and firefighters had "begun their initial impact assessments at Daly River as the flood continues to recede".

"The Daly River peaked at 14.26 metres on Tuesday and has been in a slow recession since, dropping below the major flood level late on Friday afternoon," it said.

Moderate flooding in the community is expected to continue until Wednesday, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) closely monitoring the situation.

"Further showers and storms are forecast over the next few days, which may cause renewed river level rises and prolonged flooding," the bureau said today.

BOM is also continuing to monitor the weather in the remote community of Beswick, 115km east of Katherine, where heavy rain led to flooding, but river levels were falling by Saturday morning.

"The Waterhouse River at Beswick Bridge fell below the minor flood level overnight Friday, following a peak during Friday afternoon," the BOM said.

Authorities advised local residents to stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways, and urged drivers to obey road closure signs.