Daly River Residents Head Home After Two-Week Flood Evacuation

Several hundred residents from the remote Australian town of Daly River are boarding buses home today after spending more than a fortnight at an emergency evacuation center in Darwin.

The small Top End community faced major flooding earlier this month when water levels rose past 14 meters, transforming most of the town into isolated islands. Roads disappeared under water, homes flooded to ankle depth, and the local airstrip became completely submerged.

The Northern Territory government issued an emergency declaration on February 4, evacuating nearly all residents to the Darwin Showgrounds 220 kilometers away. Families set up temporary lives on camping stretchers inside the Foskey Pavilion, supported by welfare groups who provided food, water, and toys for children.

Over the past week, water levels steadily dropped below the moderate flood level. Essential workers gained access on Wednesday to begin restoring critical services like the health clinic, school, and local store.

Clean-up teams worked quickly to prepare the community for its residents' return. Road assessment crews cleared pathways and checked infrastructure damage while community services coordinated the logistics of bringing hundreds of people home.

The Bright Side

While flooding disasters typically leave communities facing months of recovery, Daly River's story shows the power of swift response and community support. Evacuees received coordinated care from multiple agencies during their displacement, ensuring families stayed fed, housed, and connected to support services.

The Bureau of Meteorology delivered more good news on Friday, issuing its final flood warning and confirming flooding had officially ended. While showers are forecast over the coming days, meteorologists expect no further flooding events.

For residents who spent more than two weeks away from home, the return marks a fresh start. The Larrakia Nation's Return to Country program stands ready to help any remaining evacuees make the journey back when they're ready.

Today, bus after bus will carry families down newly cleared roads toward Daly River, where their community awaits them.