1 March 2026
An emergency situation has been declared under the Emergency Management Act 2013 for parts of the Barkly and Central Australia regions due to the impacts of a tropical low.
The declaration applies to the Barkly region south of Tennant Creek and the Simpson region, where severe weather conditions are expected to continue to pose risks to communities and infrastructure.
A Southern Region Emergency Operations Centre has been established in Alice Springs, with Northern Territory Police leading the coordinated response alongside emergency services and partner agencies.
To support community safety and preparedness, Centralian Senior College and Centralian Middle School will be closed tomorrow and activated as emergency shelters.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the declaration ensures all necessary resources can be mobilised quickly to support affected communities.
"This is a serious weather event and we are taking a proactive approach to ensure the safety of residents across the Barkly and Central Australia regions," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"We have activated emergency arrangements and established a Southern Region Emergency Operations Centre in Alice Springs, with NT Police leading a coordinated, whole-of-government response."
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely. Residents are urged to stay informed and follow official safety advice.
"I strongly encourage everyone in impacted areas to monitor updates from SecureNT, follow the advice of emergency services, and take all necessary precautions to keep themselves and their families safe," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
