Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 11:44 am WST on Saturday 26 February 2022 Flood Watch Number: 2

FLOODING MAY DEVELOP DOWNSTREAM OF THE FITZROY RIVER, EAST, NORTH AND WEST KIMBERLEY RIVER CATCHMENTS

Tropical Cyclone Anika is located in the southern Timor Sea and is moving slowly south. The system is expected to reach category 2 shortly prior to making landfall along the coast of the North Kimberley Rivers. Heavy rainfall is expected to develop about northern parts of the Kimberley today and continue into early next week as the system approach the coast.

In the 24 hours to 9:00 am Saturday rainfall totals up to 94 mm were recorded along the coast of the North Kimberley River.

Rainfall totals forecast for the remainder of Saturday into Sunday will likely range from 100-200 mm with isolated totals up to 300 mm along the North Kimberley Coast. Along the West Kimberley and Fitzroy River rainfall totals between 30-80 mm are possible. Totals between 100-200 mm with isolated totals of 250-300 mm are possible in the North Kimberley Rivers Sunday into Monday.

Forecast rainfall in the affected catchments is expected to result in river rises, extensive areas of flooding and may adversely affect road conditions.
Roads may become impassable and some communities may become isolated.

Catchments likely to be affected include:

East Kimberley Rivers

North Kimberley Rivers

West Kimberley Rivers

Fitzroy River

Flooding may develop in the lower part of the Fitzroy River catchment. Flood risk is low upstream of Noonkanbah.

This flood watch is available by dialling 1300 659 213. For more information on the Flood Watch Service visit http://www.bom.gov.au/water/floods/floodWarningServices.shtml

Flood Safety Advice:
DFES advises people and communities to be aware that flooding is possible and be prepared to relocate equipment and livestock. Watch water levels. Travellers need to be aware that road conditions may be adversely affected and travel plans may need to be reconsidered. Do not drive into water of unknown depth and velocity.

Community information is available from DFES at https://www.emergency.wa.gov.au/

Current river levels are available from Department of Water and Environmental Regulation at www.water.wa.gov.au/maps-and-data/monitoring/river-level-monitoring


Rainfall and River Conditions Map