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Hundreds of residents have been forced to evacuate as heavy rains triggered flooding from the Katherine River.
The river reached a peak of 19.2 meters, marking the highest level since the catastrophic floods of 1998.
Evacuations were carried out in three nearby communities, along with Katherine Hospital.
Aircraft and helicopters played a crucial role in evacuating people from Palumpa, Jilkminggan, and Nauiyu, relocating some residents to higher ground until they could be safely rescued.
Temporary shelters have been established at local schools to accommodate those displaced by the floods.
But as well as floodwaters, the local wildlife could be a hazard.
”We’ve had independent reports of people swimming in rivers and the like,” NT incident control acting commander, Shaun Gill, said at a press conference yesterday.
“My message is quite clear: please do not do that.
“Evacuation is difficult as it is. When you go through a rescue that’s incredibly difficult and puts our frontline people at risk.
“There are crocs absolutely everywhere. Please don’t go in the water.
“Don’t swim in the water for two reasons: it’s because it’s a fast-flowing river, and also this is when crocs are most active.”
Emergency warnings are in place for Katherine township, Nitmiluk and Daly River.
Multiple schools are closed and roads cut off.
Power and water supplies are also affected and patients from Katherine Hospital have been evacuated to Darwin.
Disaster payments are on offer.
There are also several boiled water advisories in place, meaning residents in these areas will not be able to safely drink tap water without first boiling it.
This includes Katherine, Wugularr (Beswick) and Tindal.
Large parts of central Queensland as well as the Darling Downs and parts of the south-east coast have been warned to brace for locally intense rainfall and flash flooding with six-hourly rainfall totals of between 60 and 150mm overnight and today.
People in the vicinity of Policemans Creek at Rubyvale were urged to move to higher ground immediately and others were warned this morning in an emergency alert by Central Highlands Regional Council warning of an immediate threat to life and property.
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