Multiple rescues as flash flooding inundates Alice Springs after severe storms

Thursday 12 February 2026 - 09:00

By: Sahili Aya

Multiple rescues as flash flooding inundates Alice Springs after severe storms

Emergency crews carried out multiple rescues in Alice Springs after severe thunderstorms triggered a rapid rise in river levels, cutting off roads and submerging low-lying crossings across the central Australian town.

Authorities said the flooding followed intense rainfall on Wednesday, which caused water levels to surge overnight. Several roads were left impassable, including low-level causeways frequently used by residents. Local emergency services responded to numerous calls for assistance as conditions deteriorated.

Among those rescued was a woman who was swept off a roadway by fast-moving water, according to Northern Territory Police. Officials confirmed that emergency teams worked through the night to reach stranded individuals and ensure public safety.

Although the immediate emergency warning has been downgraded, authorities continue to urge caution. Floodwaters are receding gradually, but strong currents remain in some areas, posing ongoing risks to motorists and pedestrians.

Police Commissioner Martin Dole noted that the situation was compounded by the Todd River already carrying water before the latest storm system arrived. The Todd River, typically dry for much of the year, can transform rapidly during heavy rainfall events, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

“There was very limited warning,” Dole said, emphasizing that the sudden nature of the storm left little time for preparation.

The Northern Territory’s Department of Education announced that government schools would remain open to support emergency personnel and essential workers. However, other families were advised to keep children at home while conditions stabilize.

The flooding in Alice Springs comes only days after the Daly River reached a major flood level of 14 meters, prompting evacuations in affected communities. The back-to-back weather events have renewed concerns about extreme rainfall patterns and infrastructure resilience in Australia’s interior regions.

Officials continue to monitor river levels and have reminded residents to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters as cleanup and recovery efforts begin.