Alice Springs Reels from Flash Floods, Calls Mount for Better Flood Preparedness
Alice Springs is still cleaning up and assessing the damage after a week of intense thunderstorms and flash flooding inundated homes, businesses, and crucial road networks. The normally arid Todd River transformed into a raging torrent on Thursday, catching many residents and businesses off guard. While the immediate danger has subsided with weather warnings now cancelled, the community is grappling with the aftermath and a growing chorus of voices demanding more robust flood mitigation measures.
NT Police deputy regional commander James Gray-Spence highlighted the widespread impact, noting that several houses were submerged, particularly in areas like Dixon Road, Leichhardt Terrace, and South Terrace. However, the most significant disruption was to the road infrastructure. “They’re saturated and if you can stay off them, it will assist the contractors restoring any access to our local communities,” he advised, stressing the importance of avoiding unsealed road sections. While the Todd River is expected to continue receding, he cautioned that floodwaters remain a hazard and urged the public to steer clear.
Community Services Disrupted by Rising Waters
The flash flooding has had a direct and immediate impact on vital community support services. Lutheran Care, an organisation dedicated to providing emergency relief and financial assistance to vulnerable residents, was forced to temporarily suspend its operations. Their Gregory Terrace facility, situated perilously close to the Todd River, was inundated.
Susan Richards, executive at Lutheran Care, expressed her shock, revealing that the organisation had only recently relocated to the riverside building and had no prior indication of its flood risk. She emphasised the significant ramifications of their closure, stating that Lutheran Care typically assists up to 100 individuals each week. The floodwaters have resulted in the loss of “hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of food and goods,” severely hampering their ability to deliver essential services. In response, Lutheran Care is appealing to the community for much-needed donations, including food and blankets, to help those most affected by the flood event.
Urgent Calls for Flood Mitigation Investment
The recent deluge has ignited a strong call for government action from local representatives. Marion Scrymgour, the Member for Lingiari, has urged all levels of government to “get serious” about investing in comprehensive flood mitigation strategies for Alice Springs. She spent Friday engaging with businesses along the Todd River, including the impacted Lutheran Care, to understand the extent of the damage and the community’s concerns.
“We’ve got to, as a matter of urgency, start putting in place flood mitigation strategies,” Ms. Scrymgour declared. She specifically pointed to the critical need for improved early warning systems for the Todd River. “Looking at early warning systems for the Todd River, for example, I think that’s absolutely critical,” she stated.
Ms. Scrymgour is advocating for collaborative discussions with Braitling MLA Josh Burgoyne and federal disaster management member Kristy McBain to explore future flood risk reduction measures. “Things like early warning systems, do we have way to notify people the river is coming up and we could have a flood?” she questioned, lamenting the current lack of such infrastructure in Alice Springs.
Further suggestions from Ms. Scrymgour for mitigation strategies include exploring options such as dredging the Todd River, addressing sediment build-up, and managing the invasive buffel grass, which can exacerbate flooding issues.
Community Feeling Uninformed, Demanding Better Communication
Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill has voiced “deep concerns” regarding reports from community members who felt inadequately informed about the unfolding flood event. She stressed the importance of a post-event debrief involving all relevant parties. “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,” Mayor Hill stated. “We know there will be a next time and our residents need to feel informed and prepared.”
Flooding Across the Northern Territory
The widespread rainfall has not been confined to Alice Springs, with several other areas across the Northern Territory experiencing significant flooding. Last week, residents of Daly River were evacuated to Darwin in anticipation of predicted floods. The Daly River had already breached the 14-metre major flood level earlier this week, with authorities reporting “ankle-deep” water seeping into a considerable number of homes. Moderate flooding in the Daly River community is expected to persist until Wednesday, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) maintaining close observation.
The BOM has warned of potential renewed river level rises and prolonged flooding due to forecast showers and storms in the coming days.
In the remote community of Beswick, located 115km east of Katherine, heavy rain also led to flooding. However, by Saturday morning, river levels were showing signs of receding. The Waterhouse River at Beswick Bridge had fallen below the minor flood level after peaking on Friday afternoon. Authorities are continuing to advise residents in affected areas to exercise caution and avoid flooded drains, rivers, streams, and waterways. Drivers are also urged to adhere to all road closure signs.
