Katherine River peaks just below flood levels, with more rain on the way
Rural residents had to cross the flooded Emungalan Road by boat to get to the centre of Katherine. (Supplied: Rupert Trembath)
In short:
The Katherine River has reached its highest level in five years at 15.3 metres.
The river peaked just shy of the 16-metre minor flood level, which hasn't happened since the last flood in 2006.
What's next?
The weather bureau says the situation could change again, with more rain forecast over the next 48 hours.
Residents in the Top End town of Katherine are being urged to check their flood kits and make plans in case the river rises again, after it peaked about 70 centimetres below flood levels on Monday afternoon.
The Katherine River reached a high of 15.27 metres just after lunchtime before plateauing, with the Bureau of Meteorology expecting that to be as high as it goes for now.
But a nearby tropical low is expected to hang around for a few more days before tracking west towards the Kimberley, with the potential to bring more heavy rainfall in the Katherine River catchment.
"This tropical low is going to be slow-moving until about Wednesday," senior meteorologist Billy Lynch said.
"We could see another 50 to 100mm, maybe more, each day for the next couple of days and with that there is the potential for further rises along the Katherine River."
The Katherine River hasn't been this high since 2021, when it reached a peak of around 15.7 metres. (ABC Katherine: James Elton)
The river is yet to beat its 2021 wet season peak of around 15.7 metres.
The last time Katherine flooded was in 2006, when the river reached over 19 metres.
Boating to school
Some rural areas have already been isolated for several days thanks to smaller creeks that have burst their banks, including those who live along Emungalan Road.
Some school children had to be ferried across Leight Creek by boat to make it to class on Monday morning.
Local veterinarian Rupert Trembath has been using his boat to take family members across.
Some rural residents have already been cut off for several days, including those living along Emungalan Road and Gorge Road. (Supplied: Rupert Trembath )
"It changes very quickly and is very variable," Mr Trembath said.
He said people on rural blocks should try to move their horses to high or sandy ground, to prevent foot conditions that could develop when spending long periods on muddy terrain.
"Talk to your neighbours," he said.
"I've talked to my neighbour who's slightly higher. We're both aware that if it is going to flood through my place, he's happy for me to put all my animals in his paddock out the front."
For those with household pets like cats and dogs, he said the most important thing was for people to make sure they had 72 hours worth of food in reserve for them, as well as for themselves.
Locals are being encouraged to move livestock to higher ground if waters rise further. (Supplied: Rupert Trembath )
Flood readiness
NT Emergency Service chief officer Wayne Snell said it was a good moment for Katherine residents to double check their flood kits.
"Check things like batteries, check things like food, that nothing has leaked, nothing has been removed by a family member in the middle of the night where they've decided to raid the kit," Mr Snell said.
Top End residents are urged to always have a box or bag of supplies ready with safety gear like portable radios, phone chargers, toilet paper and first aid.
A waterproof bag containing important documents and cash as well as any personal medication can also be a lifesaver in the case of a serious flood.
The Katherine River has peaked for now, at just over 15 metres, but could rise further in coming days. (ABC Katherine: James Elton )
As the river rose over the weekend, local emergency volunteers were putting the finishing touches on their own preparation.
"Part of what they did in Katherine was to take the boats out over the weekend and give them a full shakedown in the river so they were actually operating in the environment before getting to critical height levels," Mr Snell said.
Katherine mayor Joanna Holden said she was "very proud" to see locals stepping up to keep each other safe.
She said it was "magnificent to see" the river pumping at full strength.
But she said it was important for residents to stay "cautious" and alert by monitoring Secure NT, either online or on the app, for the latest emergency information.