An Outback Soaking: Rain in the Red Centre

Cooler air, thunder, and flooded rivers: on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week, the rain bucketed down in Alice Springs, Central Australia. Storms tracking across the desert brought driving winds and widespread wet weather. This amount of rain has not been seen within a twenty-four-hour period since 2001, and some schools were forced to close due to becoming inaccessible when the creeks rose. 

The Todd River, which winds through the Alice Springs township, swelled. Tuncks Road and Schwarz Crescent were just two of the roads that closed. The currents rippled and standing on the edge, all that was left to see of the once-dry riverbed was a massive wall of moving water. Rain is always welcome as it brings down the temperature, but it is also dangerous. Crossing flooded causeways can put individuals at risk and resources are required to rescue anyone in danger. If it's flooded, forget it. The dry earth is thirsty for rain, and the rivers are hungry: they will swallow anyone who slips beneath their surface. 

The swollen Todd River, Alice Springs in Central Australia (Photo credit: Alicia Pegram)

The water flowed strongly past the Telegraph Station and down to The Gap. It spilled out of its banks and yet the rain kept coming. It is a testament to how quickly the landscape of the desert can change: burning dry one day, rain-coated the next. All around town, people ducked outside to take photos and revel in the cooler weather, and feel the uncommon sensation of raindrops on their skin. This is possible when the rain is lighter, but during the core of a storm, it is best to be inside.

These past few days, the rain has swung between light and heavy. On Tuesday night alone, 100mms fell. At some points, damaging winds caused tree bark and low branches to come down. Earlier in the week, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood watch for the southern parts of the Northern Territory. There were warnings about hail. Outside of town, deeper into the outback, the Tanami Road and the Sandover Highway are closed as they are impassible.

The desert rarely sees this much water. The volume of the deluge poses risks to safety, but it also showcases another frame of the beauty of remote Australia. The bursting Todd River reminds us of the strength of nature. Skies blackened by thunder clouds, high winds, and unbridled lightning strikes over the Macdonnell Ranges make it very clear that we have only so much control over our environment. In the midst of the flood, we would do well to recall this. The outback is stunning, but it is also alive - and powerful.