Severe flooding in Australia's Northern Territory has forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 people and triggered urgent warnings about crocodiles in floodwaters - with authorities bluntly telling residents the dangerous reptiles are "absolutely everywhere."
Police evacuated more than 1,000 people across the territory over the weekend of March 7–8, deploying helicopters and aircraft to reach communities in remote areas. NT Police Incident Control Acting Commander Shaun Gill told journalists, "There are crocs absolutely everywhere. Please don't go in the water."
The Katherine River peaked at 19.2 meters at the town bridge late Saturday - the highest flood level for the town of about 6,000 people in at least 20 years. Floodwaters topped the levee, submerging Katherine's main street, entering shops and surrounding homes, and forcing authorities to cut power to dozens of properties.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro announced an emergency declaration for the Big Rivers region and triggered closures of government schools. Three schools were converted into emergency shelters with capacity for 850 people. About 34 patients were evacuated from Katherine Hospital, with 21 airlifted to other health facilities.
Six aircraft and 18 helicopters carried out rescues. Communities evacuated included Nganmarriyanga, Nauiyu, Katherine, and Jilkminggan. About 1,000 people sheltered in evacuation centers in Darwin, Katherine, and Mataranka.
Officials stressed the dual dangers of fast-moving currents and displaced wildlife. The Northern Territory Government issued a #BeCrocwise message warning residents that rising river levels push crocodiles into new and unexpected areas - including creeks, drains, flooded roads, and other waterways - and urged people to assume any waterway may contain a crocodile.
NT Police Acting Commissioner Travis Wurst criticized a man who entered the river at Beswick east of Katherine, forcing police and community members to risk their lives rescuing him as he clung to a branch.
Residents affected by flooding are eligible for disaster assistance payments of $611 per adult and $309 per child, capped at $1,537 per family, with additional re-establishment grants for damaged household items.
The Daly River, south of Darwin, was still rising as of Sunday and was expected to potentially exceed its 1957 record level of 15.3 meters during the coming week. It marked the second time Daly River residents had been evacuated to Darwin after flooding, following an earlier event in February, with this round expected to cause more severe damage.
Officials have not confirmed any flood-related fatalities. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that monsoon conditions could persist, keeping river levels elevated even without major new rainfall.
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