Radio National Breakfast ADF deployed to Katherine in wake of severe flooding
Mar 15, 2026
Joanna Holden, mayor of Katherine in the Northern Territory, speaks about life after record floods and local recovery. She describes hundreds displaced, schools reopening, and the crucial role of ADF support. She calls for federal help to rebuild infrastructure, a flood‑safe hospital and an evacuation centre. The tone mixes urgent appeals with community resilience.
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Uniformed ADF Presence Boosts Recovery Effectiveness
- Joanna Holden says the ADF brings emotional reassurance through uniformed presence and practical disaster-recovery skills.
- She observed people accept help more readily from uniformed personnel and highlighted their prior disaster experience as valuable on-ground capability.
Seven Hundred Displaced In Katherine Floods
- Joanna reports 700 people were displaced during the Katherine floods, stressing local scale of impact.
- She describes walking in town on a sunny day while recovery teams and residents worked through cleanup efforts.
Keep Checking In On Flood-Affected Families
- Joanna urges the community to continue checking in and supporting affected residents beyond the immediate cleanup.
- She warns recovery will take months for many families, so sustained outreach and support are necessary.