Radio National Breakfast Northern Australia comes to grips with ex-tropic cyclone Narelle
Mar 22, 2026
Robyn Holmes, Mayor of Cook Shire Council, reports on impacts and recovery in remote Cape York communities. Joanna Holden, Mayor of Katherine Town Council, provides on-the-ground updates about rising rivers and local flood response. They discuss river peaks, helicopter rescues, road and air logistics, community coordination and volunteer support during recovery.
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Catchment Rain Drives Katherine's Flood Risk
- Katherine's river level is rising from catchment rain rather than local falls alone, so flood risk is driven by upstream gorge rainfall.
- Mayor Joanna Holden says catchment gauges hit around 100mm and the river sat near 13m with forecasts to about 17.5m, threatening rural inundation.
Katherine Families Face Repeated Flood Trauma
- Many Katherine residents are exhausted after recent events, with some facing their fourth flood in 30 years and still cleaning up from a 19.1m peak two weeks earlier.
- Joanna Holden describes neighbours filling sandbags, offering cups of tea, and community members still preparing for possible new inundation.
Check On Flood-Affected Neighbours Immediately
- Reach out to recently impacted neighbours and offer practical help like a cup of tea, checking needs, or assisting with sandbagging or clean-up.
- Joanna Holden urges community members to connect with those hit two weeks ago because ongoing support matters during repeated events.