Waters lapping at an evacuated outback town are just short of major flood levels but only a few homes have minor inundation, authorities say.
Some 300 evacuees from the Northern Territory town of Daly River are waiting it out at a Darwin Showgrounds pavilion but could be there for many days before it is deemed safe for them to return home.
River levels are rising very slowly and were at 13.97 metres on Monday afternoon - just short of the major flood level of 14 metres.
Bureau of Meteorology NT manager Shenagh Gamble told reporters a peak of 4.1 metres was expected on Tuesday before the waters started to recede.
Incident controller Gavin Kennedy said several houses in the community had water ingress at a very minor level, but the school, the health clinic and the police station were all fine.
The sewerage system was still operating and authorities did not expect it to be shut down.
Police and essential workers remain in the town, about 220km southwest of Darwin, to monitor the flooding.
An animal welfare officer is also there to watch over more than 250 pets left behind including dogs, cats and a pig.
Controller Kennedy said the best-case scenario would allow assessment teams to access the town early next week but roads would have to be cleared and all public services checked before it was deemed safe for residents to return.
