Government schools in Katherine are set to reopen on Monday after days of disruption caused by severe flooding in the Northern Territory town, marking a key step in the region’s early recovery. The decision follows extensive safety inspections and cleanup operations after several campuses were used as evacuation centres during the recent flood emergency.
The reopening will allow students to return to classrooms and resume learning after a week of closures triggered by rising floodwaters across the region. However, authorities say the broader flood crisis is still ongoing, with the Daly River continuing to sit above its historic record level and expected to remain above major flood level well into next week.
Katherine schools to reopen after safety checks
The Northern Territory Department of Education and Training confirmed that all government schools in Katherine will reopen on Monday following safety assessments and recovery work across school grounds. Officials said facilities have now undergone inspections, cleaning and necessary rectifications to ensure they are safe for students and staff.
“Our schools have undergone the relevant safety assessments, rectifications and cleaning and are ready to welcome our students back so they can resume their learning journey,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.
Several schools played a central role during the emergency response as temporary evacuation shelters for residents forced to leave their homes due to flooding. MacFarlane Primary School, Casuarina Street Primary School and Katherine High School were all used to house displaced residents during the peak of the crisis.
With floodwaters beginning to recede in parts of the town, authorities say those schools are now ready to reopen to students, although some emergency arrangements will remain in place.
Katherine High School to operate hybrid model
Katherine High School will reopen under a hybrid operating model as it continues to serve both students and the community. The evacuation centre currently operating at the campus will remain active inside the school’s gymnasium while regular classes resume.
The arrangement will allow students in years 7 to 12 to return to face-to-face learning while still providing accommodation and support for residents who have not yet been able to return home.
Education officials said access to some parts of the campus will remain restricted while the evacuation centre continues to operate.
“This arrangement allows the school to resume face-to-face learning for year 7 to 12 students while also supporting the community through the school’s role as an evacuation centre in the gym,” the spokesperson said.
Security measures will also remain in place to manage the dual operations.
“Access to some areas will be restricted, with fencing and security on site during the day,” the department confirmed.
Regular school bus services are expected to resume alongside the reopening, and parents have been asked to ensure students bring lunch with them when returning to school.
Remote schools remain closed for safety
While Katherine’s schools are preparing to reopen, several remote communities remain heavily impacted by the flooding. Authorities confirmed that schools in Nganmarriyanga, Woolianna, Wugularr, Jilkminggan and Mataranka will remain closed for now.
Officials said those campuses will reopen only once it is considered safe for students and staff to return.
The continued closures highlight the uneven impact of flooding across the Northern Territory. While urban areas like Katherine are beginning to move toward recovery, remote communities often face longer disruptions due to damaged infrastructure, isolated locations and ongoing flood risks.
Road access, transportation services and safety assessments can take significantly longer in remote areas, delaying the reopening of essential services such as schools.
Katherine Hospital preparing staged reopening
Health services in the region are also gradually moving toward recovery. Incident Controller Travis Wurst said the Department of Health expects the Katherine Hospital to begin reopening in stages after safety checks are completed.
Authorities said the hospital’s emergency department could reopen as early as Saturday, depending on the outcome of ongoing inspections.
“The assessments are ongoing in relation to the health and safety around, particularly, the emergency department and at the latest, the emergency department in Katherine should be open tomorrow if not sooner,” Mr Wurst said.
Other sections of the hospital are expected to reopen gradually as officials complete further inspections and safety checks.
“The rest of the hospital will be staged as they work through all of the checks that are required,” he added.
The reopening of hospital services is considered a crucial milestone for the town, as it restores emergency medical care for residents across the wider Katherine region.
Katherine River flood peak sparks memories of 1998 disaster
The recent flooding has also revived memories of the devastating 1998 Katherine flood, which remains one of the region’s most significant natural disasters.
Last weekend, the Katherine River reached a peak level of 19.2 metres at the Katherine Bridge, one of the highest readings in decades. While water levels have since fallen significantly, the river was still recorded at 12.53 metres as of Friday morning.
The dramatic surge forced evacuations across parts of the town and required emergency response teams to coordinate rescue and shelter operations for affected residents.
For many locals, the flood levels triggered emotional memories of the 1998 disaster, when widespread flooding caused extensive damage across Katherine.
During media interviews last weekend, Member of the Legislative Assembly Jo Hersey became visibly emotional while discussing the situation in her hometown, reflecting the deep personal impact such disasters can have on regional communities.
Daly River remains above record flood level
Despite improving conditions in Katherine, the situation remains serious along the Daly River. Authorities confirmed the river is currently sitting at 16.36 metres — about 11 centimetres higher than the previous record set during the 1998 floods.
Officials expect the river to remain above the major flood level for several more days, potentially well into next week.
The prolonged flooding increases risks for communities located downstream, where high water levels can remain dangerous long after rainfall has eased.
Emergency authorities continue to monitor conditions closely as floodwaters slowly move through the river system.
Residents across the region have been advised to stay informed through official updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency information services provided by SecureNT.
Recovery begins but flood emergency continues
The reopening of schools and the gradual restoration of services mark an important milestone for Katherine as it begins the long process of recovery.
However, with the Daly River still above record levels and several remote communities facing continued disruption, the broader flood emergency in the Northern Territory is far from over.
Authorities say recovery efforts will continue across the region as emergency teams monitor river levels, support displaced residents and work to restore critical infrastructure in affected areas.
For many families in Katherine, Monday’s school reopening represents a small but meaningful return to normal life — even as the wider flood crisis continues to unfold.
You may like: Qantas $105M COVID Refund Settlement Over Cancelled Flights
