Tropical Low Fletcher

As the precursor tropical low to Cyclone Fletcher produced heavy rains across much of the Top End region in late January and early February,[1] the BOM issued flood advisories for the Darwin-Daly Districts.[22] Squalls associated with the low raised concerns over abnormally high tides, namely the potential for beach erosion and coastal flooding.[23] The Northern Territory Government launched a trial run of an early-warning phone system during this event. Residents in the Rapid Creek catchment were notified via mobile device about the possibility of flooding from the storm.[23]

Over the Adelaide River catchment, 150 to 200 mm (5.9 to 7.9 in) fell causing the river to exceed major flood level in the town of Adelaide River on 1 February.[1] Rising to 12.5 m (41 ft), the river inundated mostly rural areas, including a cattle farm in Mount Bundy Station where a calf had to be rescued by boat. Along the Douglas River, 247 mm (9.7 in) of rain fell over three days.[24] Minor to moderate flooding also occurred along the Katherine and Daly Rivers.[1] Darwin experienced several days of heavy rains and squally winds from the system, with accumulations reaching 125.8 mm (4.95 in) and gusts peaking at 80 km/h (50 mph) on 31 January.[25][26]

More than a week later, the remnants produced further rains across southern areas of the state. Roughly 100 to 150 mm (3.9 to 5.9 in) of rain fell across the Roper-McArthur and Victoria river districts, leading to significant water level rise. Moderate flooding took place in Kalkarindji along the Victoria River on 12–13 February while low-lying areas along the McArthur River in Borroloola flooded on both 10 and 13 February.[1] Along the Northern Territory–Queensland border, 214.7 mm (8.45 in) fell in Wollogorang.[27] As the remnants passed near Tennant Creek, wind gusts reached 65 km/h (40 mph), though rainfall was fairly limited with only 17 mm (0.67 in) falling.[28]

Owing to a wetter-than-average January, cattle herders in Queensland moved their herds to higher ground.[29]

During the time in which Fletcher became nearly stationary over the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria, it produced prolonged and heavy rains across much of western Queensland. Many areas experienced a week of continuous rainfall, with Kowanyama measuring at least 100 mm (3.9 in) for six days straight,[1] including a daily peak of 361.2 mm (14.22 in). Total rains from Fletcher's passage amounted to 1,256.8 mm (49.48 in) over an eight-day span.[30] These rains greatly contributed to making February 2014 the wettest month on record in Kowanyama, with 1,470.6 mm (57.90 in) ultimately recorded.[1] Normanton, situated near where Fletcher made landfall on 3 February, saw considerably less rainfall, with total accumulations of 187 mm (7.4 in).[31] Mornington Island also experienced considerably less rainfall, with 189 mm (7.4 in) falling over 11 days. On 2 February, as Fletcher passed south of the island, wind gusts peaked at 63 km/h (39 mph).[32] In Far North Queensland, near-gale to gale-force wind gusts affected coastal areas around Weipa for three days; a maximum gust of 65 km/h (40 mph) was measured on 5 February. A total of 583.2 mm (22.96 in) of rain fell in Weipa as both Fletcher and the nearby monsoon brought continuous moisture to the region.[1][33] Near where Fletcher made landfall for a final time on 9 February, Burketown experienced gale-force winds on both 9 and 10 February as the remnants of Fletcher tracked westward. Rainfall in the town amounted to 263.1 mm (10.36 in) over a nine-day period.[11]

Flooding in Kowanyama began on 3 February as roads "turned into rivers" and the land around the town turned into a swamp. The mayor of Kowanyama described the town as "its own little island." However, residents were prepared for the storm and had supplies stocked up.[34] Owing to the weak nature of the storm, no wind damage occurred throughout Queensland.[35]