WARNING: Distressing content.
Nestled along the banks of the Daly River, the Nauiyu community lies over 200 kilometers south of Darwin.
For Phillip Morgan, this place is more than just a location—it’s home.
At the age of 19, Morgan witnessed the most catastrophic flood to ever hit Nauiyu in 1998, with water levels at the Daly River Police Station gauge soaring to an unprecedented 16.25 meters. This remains the highest recorded level to this day.
Presently, there are warnings that another similar event could unfold, as the Daly River’s waters rise due to heavy rainfall across vast areas of the Northern Territory.
“This year’s wet season is quite intense,” the 47-year-old shared with NITV News.
“We are a bit worried about our homes since we left the community.
“It’s going to be lots of work when we return back to community.”
Communities evacuated to safety
Phillip is one of hundreds of residents that were evacuated to Darwin over the weekend.
Remote communities of Nauiyu/Daly River, Palumpa, Beswick and Jilkminggan were evacuated, most airlifted by helicopters.
It is the second time in a month Daly River residents have been evacuated to Darwin after flooding forced their evacuation in early February.
The flooding is more severe this time, with damage to homes and the community yet to be assessed.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) NT hazard preparedness and response manager, Shenagh Gamble, said Daly River is expected to “continue rising throughout the week”.
Ms Gamble said while the current levels were not expected to surpass the Daly River’s 1998 flood levels it is still a “wait to see” scenario.
Nauiyu resident Simon Wade Jones, told NITV it was “pretty shocking” to be evacuated just two weeks after returning from Darwin due to the floods in February.
“We had to jump on choppers and stuff, the water was coming up really quick,” the 17-year-old said.
Katherine clean-up begins
The clean-up has begun in Katherine, around 300 kilometres south-east of Darwin, as major flood levels continue to recede.
Flooding peaked at its highest in almost three decades on Saturday night, at about 19.2 metres.
Katherine Mayor Joanna Holden said residents have remained positive in the face of a major clean-up ahead.
“The sense of community here is so strong,” Ms Holden said.
“We will together get through this and hold each other up.”
Disaster assistance payments for Katherine have been activated with support from the federal government.
The financial supports will include immediate relief payments of $611 per adult and $309 per child, capped at $1,537 per family. Re-establishment payments of $8,843 are also available.
Darwin’s water supply at risk
From Monday evening, Darwin residents have been urged to reduce their water usage following damage to water pumps at the city’s main dam due to flooding.
Power and Water Corporation say the issue was caused by flash flooding and a heavy wet season that has lead to the dam being at more than 110 per cent capacity.
Power and Water are working to resolve the issue and are looking at bringing in generators to get the pump station working again.
It comes after shoppers were met with empty shelves at supermarkets across the Top End over the weekend.
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says rail lines opened on Sunday night, with two trains of food able to get to Darwin on Monday.
NT Emergency Service (NTES) on 132 500
13YARN 13 92 76
Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905
Lifeline 13 11 14
