Darwin, February 23, 2026 – The Europe Today: Heavy rainfall across large parts of the Barkly region and Central Australia over the past three days has forced widespread road closures and inundated cattle stations, with further severe weather forecast to continue.
A tropical low has been circulating over the Simpson region and sections of the Barkly and Tanami districts in recent days, bringing intense local rainfall and damaging winds, according to media reports.
Authorities have warned that severe conditions are expected to persist into tonight and early tomorrow, prompting the issuance of a Storm Watch and Act advisory.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) cautioned that locally heavy rainfall could trigger dangerous and potentially life-threatening flash flooding across the southern Barkly and northern Simpson districts. Rainfall totals of up to 200 millimetres are possible, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 90 kilometres per hour.
The bureau also forecast thunderstorms across much of the Northern Territory tonight, excluding the south-west, with severe storms possible in a broad area south of Daly Waters. While uncertainty remains regarding the exact track and intensity of the system, the BOM has urged residents to closely monitor updates and heed official warnings. It further warned that the extreme conditions pose risks to cattle and other livestock.
Communities that may be affected include Ali Curung, Arltunga, Ti Tree, Jervois, Barrow Creek and Ampilatwatja.
Approximately 400 kilometres south-east of Tennant Creek, along the Northern Territory–Queensland border, Lake Nash Station recorded more than 550 millimetres of rain in some gauges over the weekend. In certain areas, as much as 350 millimetres fell on Friday night alone.
Station manager Erin Gibson said the rainfall had come close to causing significant damage, but proactive efforts by staff to relocate equipment and machinery helped minimise the impact.
“We haven’t suffered too much damage anywhere,” Gibson said. “There will be a few cows in the wrong place … but if it stops at that, we’re very lucky.”
Dozens of roads across the Northern Territory have been closed due to flooding. The Stuart Highway, the main transport corridor linking Darwin and Adelaide, was earlier shut between Tennant Creek and Ali Curung but reopened this afternoon.
In a statement, emergency management agency SecureNT reported significant water over sections of the highway between Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, with some areas sustaining damage. Contractors are expected to arrive on site tomorrow to undertake necessary repairs.
Authorities continue to advise residents to remain vigilant as the severe weather system moves across the region.
