Major Evacuation from Borroloola Ahead of Forecasted One-in-100-Year Flood

More than 100 individuals have been evacuated from the remote community of Borroloola overnight, as authorities brace for a forecasted ‘one-in-100-year’ flood event in the region. A was issued due to the updated modelling predicting the nearby McArthur River to reach 18 metres, three meters above its previous record peak in 2001.

The aircraft swiftly moved vulnerable residents out of the community of about 870 people before nightfall. NT Police Superintendent and Incident Controller, mentioned that approximately 102 people were airlifted from Borroloola to the ‘s Foskey Pavilion evacuation center in Darwin.

Following the evacuation efforts, the stated there would be a reassessment of the situation in Borroloola, reevaluation of flood level forecasts, and planning for future actions to best serve the community. This evacuation comes after a previous attempt earlier in the week amidst Tropical Cyclone Megan‘s approach to the NT coast as a category three system.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan, now downgraded to a tropical low, is moving westward across the NT, bringing heavy rainfall and severe weather to regions in Central . Communities like Tennant Creek, Elliot, and Ali Curung are expected to bear the brunt of the system’s impact throughout the day.

, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, highlighted that the McArthur River in Borroloola is anticipated to hit its peak level later in the day. Major flooding is ongoing, with the river expected to crest between 17.2 and 18 meters, marking record-breaking and hazardous conditions.

On a federal level, the Federal Emergency Services Minister, , mentioned the approval for ADF personnel and aircraft to assist with potential evacuations in the Northern Territory. Plans are in place for communities like Timber Creek, Pigeon Hole, and Kalkarindji, although as per , there are no immediate evacuation efforts in these areas.

As the situation unfolds, the Roper Gulf Regional Council Services and other relevant authorities are on standby to ensure the safety and well-being of residents across the region facing the looming flood threat.