Approximately 450 Daly River residents are being relocated to Darwin as part of emergency measures ordered by the government ahead of expected major flooding this weekend in the area.

An NT Government emergency declaration was issued Wednesday afternoon, stating the river is expected to reach minor flood levels today before rising to “moderate on Thursday or Friday before exceeding the 14m major flood level”.

The Daly River residents will be moved out of the community by Thursday evening, the government said, and will be accommodated at the Foskey Pavilion at the Darwin Showgrounds “until it is safe for them to return to their community”.

The government has stood up the Territory Emergency Operations Centre with planning “already well advanced”.

While flood watch warnings remain in place for other parts of the region, only the residents of Daly River are being relocated as of Wednesday afternoon.

“Our number one priority is the preservation of life and by getting people out early we are minimising the public safety risk, and the risk to our emergency personnel,” Incident Controller, Superintendent David Moore said.

“A Watch and Act flood alert is currently in place for the Daly. This means that people in the affected area need to start enacting their emergency plans.”

The government said if residents plan to self-relocate, they must do it now while the roads are still passable. If self-relocating, the government offered the following tips:

• Please be sensible on the roads, don’t take any unnecessary risks.
• Don’t drive through flood waters.
• Slow down and drive to conditions.
• Wear your seatbelts.
• Definitely don’t drink and drive.
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive.
• Be very aware of crocodiles and other wildlife.