Motorists are warned the Stuart Highway north of Ti Tree has become impassable due to heavy rain and localised flooding.
Police said the Department of Construction and Infrastructure advised at 12.45pm that the road 20 kilometres north of Ti Tree had become impassable to traffic. Ti Tree Police are monitoring the situation, but motorists are urged to avoid the area for the present time.
Meanwhile the Alice Springs Counter Disaster Committee continues to monitor the height of the Todd River and the impact of localised flooding.
Northern Territory Emergency Service Volunteers this morning door-knocked residences in flood prone areas including South Terrace and Barrett Drive. They advised residents of the possiblility of localised flooding which could impact on houses in the area if the rain continued. Residents were urged to make preparations to evacuate the area should the water continue to rise. Other agencies have also been monitoring the situation and making contingency plans to evacuate some of the town camps in the event the situation worsened.
Acting Superintendent Malcolm Passmore said the Counter Disaster Committee had been liaising with the Bureau of Meteorology and local flood forecasters all morning.
"At this point we have activated the Alice Springs Flood Plan, and preparations have been put in place in the event the water continues to rise," Acting Superintendent Passmore said.
"However, at present the indications are the water level is beginning to fall in the catchment area. Nonetheless the situation will continue to be monitored until we are sure there is no longer a threat to homes in the immediate area of the river."
"In the meantime people are urged to listen for flood warning updates on ABC Radio (783 am). "
For further advice on road conditions motorists are urged to check the road conditions before their trip by phoning the Department of Planning and Infrastructure road conditions hotline 1800 246 199 or check the website at http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport.
Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825
0419 803 603
