Cars underwater, trees torn down β Alice Springs flooding in pictures
Severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding in Alice Springs, leaving cars submerged and residents stranded.
Overnight, a severe thunderstorm hit Alice Springs, dumping nearly 100 millimeters of rain on the typically arid Todd River within just three hours. This sudden downpour led to rapid water rise, stranding multiple residents in distress, with some having to seek refuge atop vehicles and others facing perilous situations after being swept away. The scenes depicted from the flooding reveal cars submerged, uprooted trees, and torrent-like floodwaters damaging the infrastructure.
As the floodwaters begin to recede, emergency services caution residents about lingering dangers. Even with the water levels subsiding, there remains an underlying risk of strong currents in the affected areas. Authorities are vigilant in monitoring the situation, while advising locals to exercise extreme caution when navigating through slick and potentially hazardous road conditions. The community is currently assessing the damage and preparing for cleanup efforts, as the effects of the natural disaster are felt across the town.
This flash flooding incident underscores the vulnerability of Alice Springs to sudden weather extremes, particularly in light of climate patterns that have increasingly resulted in such anomalies. The local government's response will likely focus on immediate rescue operations and long-term infrastructural resilience to better prepare for potential future emergencies, as this incident challenges the townβs typical weather norms.