Flood Emergency in Central Australia: Schools as Shelters

0:00In Sydney, it's March 2nd, and here's what is going on. Authorities in Australia's Northern Territory have declared a flood emergency across Central Australia and the Barclay region. Heavy rain from a tropical low is pushing rivers higher and raising flood risks in areas south of Tenant Creek, including Alice Springs. This comes after weeks of wet weather and flash flooding. On Sunday, the government activated powers under the Emergency Management Act based on advice from weather experts in emergency councils. Two schools in Alice Springs, Centrelium Middle School and Centrelium Senior College, close to students on Monday and open as emergency shelters. Most other schools stayed open despite the disruptions. Police now have extra authority to direct people away from danger zones like flood waters. Officials are alarmed by reports of folks swimming in swollen rivers and stress that emergency crews shouldn't handle needless rescues. Schools and causeways are closing with traffic rerouted. Businesses are sandbagging entrances and supermarkets face delivery delays.

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