The incident controller of the whole of Government Emergency Operations Centre, Superintendent Brent Warren is reminding people to question the necessity to travel across the Emergency Situation region.
Two males are currently unaccounted for after leaving Ngukurr Community at 10am yesterday morning heading to Numbulwar on foot. The two boys were originally in a party of four males but two have been found safe and well at Hodgson Downs earlier today.
Community members at Ngukurr believe the two outstanding males, aged 14 and 21 are likely to be at one of the familiar outstations along the way. However, Police are currently attempting contact across this area to locate them and confirm their exact location and welfare.
NT Police Marine and Fisheries Enforcement Section Police have been called in to support the Emergency Operations Centre in launching an expert search and rescue mission to locate 3 crabbing vessels which have failed to arrive at their destination.
The 3 vessels are one group, each containing one experienced mariner, safety equipment and sufficient supplies believed to last for weeks. Each vessel also contains an EPIRB, none of which have been activated. EPIRP's will activate automatically if fully immersed in water.
The mariners left Borroloola on Sunday and were due to arrive at Port Roper, Reedy's Camp on Tuesday.
Due to the level of experience of these mariners, it is quite possible they have assessed the situation including 5 metre waves at the mouth of the Roper River, and taken shelter in an estuary. However, Police are making every effort to locate them and confirm their location and welfare.
Yesterday, NT Police were arranging a food drop for 5 persons located at Wandu outstation (30km from Numbulwar). However, due to the rising river level, all five were safely evacuated this morning to Numbulwar by helicopter.
To date, the Emergency Operation Centre Hotline 1800 552 596 has received a few general enquiries but no reports of any emergencies. The hotline continues to operate 24 hours a day directly from the Centre at the Katherine Police Station.
The public and agencies are reminded that this number has been established for all those requiring assistance such as food, medical supplies, or have concerns for their own or community welfare as a result of the current weather situation.
Food drops and assessments are continuing across the area.
Photos attached courtesy of NT Police:
Angurugu crossing under water at Groote Eylandt.
Food drop at Gapuwiyak.
Useful Contacts:
Police, Fire and Emergency Operation Centre Hotline - 1800 552 596
Weather - Bureau of Meteorology - http://www.bom.gov.au/ or 1300 659 211
Power and Water Authority -1800 245 092
Road reports - www.roadreport.nt.gov.au/
Media contact:
Katie Fowden
0401116540
Please be advised, media contacts over the Easter long weekend are as follows (as of 5pm today):
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Paul updates - Rebecca Forrest, 0414 693 977
All other PFES media on call requests - 0417 770 686
