Territory Emergency Operations Centre

Emergency Declaration for Daly River ahead of expected major flooding 

4 February 2026

The Northern Territory Government has made an Emergency Declaration ahead of expected major flooding this weekend in Daly River.

The river is expected to reach minor flood levels today, then rise further to moderate on Thursday or Friday before exceeding the 14m major flood level.

“To ensure community safety, we have issued an evacuation order for Daly River, with residents to be relocated to Darwin by Thursday evening,” Incident Controller, Superintendent David Moore said.

“Our number one priority is the preservation of life and by getting people out early we are minimising the public safety risk, and the risk to our emergency personnel.”

Approximately 450 people will be accommodated at the Foskey Pavilion at Darwin Showgrounds until it is safe for them to return to their community.

The Territory Emergency Operations Centre has been stood up and planning is already well advanced.

"A Watch and Act flood alert is currently in place for the Daly. This means that people in the affected area need to start enacting their emergency plans," Supt Moore said.

If your plan is to self-relocate, now is the time to do it while the roads are still passable.

• Please be sensible on the roads, don’t take any unnecessary risks.
• Don’t drive through flood waters.
• Slow down and drive to conditions.
• Wear your seatbelts.
• Definitely don’t drink and drive.
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive.
• Be very aware of crocodiles and other wildlife.

Media contact: CMC.SecureNT@nt.gov.au