Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles says the conditions in remote communities impacted by major flooding has eased, as authorities continue working to evacuate "hundreds" of displaced residents.
WARNING: This story contains a graphic image.
The Chief Minster confirmed that all residents have now been evacuated from the communities of Daguragu and Pigeon Hole, to the nearby community of Kalkarindji.
However, she said "hundreds" of people are still waiting to be evacuated from Kalkarindji, which is heavily flooded, to the nearest major centre of Katherine.
Ms Fyles said there had been 17 evacuation flights, of both small aircraft and helicopters, so far today.
The Australian Defence Force has surveyed the airstrip at Kalkarindji in preparation for using C130 and C27 aircraft to help with the evacuation effort.
"We won't get everyone out of Kalkarindji tonight, that will be achieved tomorrow," Ms Fyles said.
People will be bussed to Darwin after arriving in Katherine. In Darwin, they will be housed in the Foskey Pavilion in the Darwin showgrounds, before being moved to the Howard Springs facility "tonight or tomorrow".
The community of Palumpa will not be evacuated due to a rapid drop in water levels, but vulnerable residents of Yarralin will be evacuated.
"The advice is Yarralin is okay, but those a little less mobile, we're taking that extra precaution," Ms Fyles said.
Evacuated children will be taken to local primary schools to continue their education in Darwin.
NT Police Commander Danny Bacon reminded flood-impacted residents to stay off regional roads, and only travel in cases of emergency.
"We appreciate this is quite stressful for residents in those communities," he said.
Heavy rain, strong wind heading east
BOM NT's Shenagh Gamble said rain continued in Kalkarindji overnight, but the Victoria River is falling.
"We still have a flood warning for Kalkarindji," she said.
She said the tropical low was heading east, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to the Barkly Region.
"In Tennant Creek there was 90mm of rain overnight," she said.
"We expect over the next few days, the Barkly will get heavier rain as the low moves further east into that area.
There is now a severe weather warning in place for heavy rain and damaging winds for most of the Barkly region, as well as parts of the Carpentaria, Gregory and Tanami districts.
Evacuees begin arriving in Katherine, Darwin
Richard Long spent the night at the Corroboree Hostel in Katherine, after being evacuated from Kalkarindji last night.
He said his house was among those that were inundated when floodwaters rose yesterday.
"The water went everywhere. My sister-in-law's house got underwater," he said.
"You lose everything there."
"It might be three and a half, four months, for the water to go down, to rebuild everything.
"You miss everything. It's really sad."
Mr Long said his grandsons had been forced to leave behind their puppies when they evacuated.
"They must be underwater," he said.
"In Katherine here, it's cloudy -- good day, it's a beautiful day. While … what's happening in Kalkarindji – it's underwater."
Nicholas Dalelingiari was one of the first evacuees out of Kalkarindji and was flown directly to Darwin last night.
He boarded a Careflight plane with his partner and three young children. He was prioritised because his two-month-old daughter is unwell.
He was among a small handful of people who were able to evacuate from Kalkarindji yesterday. Mr Dalelingiari said there were only four other elderly women who were also flown to Darwin last night.
"I'm just glad me and my family are safe up here in Darwin," he said.
Mr Dalelingiari said it was scary watching his home become inundated.
"[The flood waters] look dangerous," he said.
"It's pretty scary out there, with the crocs."
His cousin was bitten by a crocodile in the flood waters. He said he's now okay, but is walking with a limp.
Mr Dalelingiari and his family was evacuated with such short notice, he's worried that they won't have much to return home to.
"[The flood] took all our stuff with it," he said.
"Our fridge, TV, microwave, clothes, washing machine. Everything that we own."
He said having more communication from authorities could have helped them save more of their belongings.
"We got the message a bit late," he said.
