Category Two Cyclone Fina Approaches Northern Territory Coastline

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Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to change direction southward on Thursday, heading towards the Northern Territory’s Top End, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).

BoM has warned that the cyclone remains a category two storm, with sustained winds near the centre of 95km/h and wind gusts reaching 130 km/h.

“Tropical Cyclone Fina remains a category two system and is slow moving. It is expected to turn to the south today then southwest towards the northern coast of the Top End,” the BoM said in a warning on Thursday morning.

“It should approach the Cobourg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands on Friday, impacting areas over the northwest coast of the Top End of the Northern Territory.

“Tropical cyclone Fina is predicted to sustain its category two strength over the next few days. However, there’s a chance it could escalate to category three by Friday or Saturday as it approaches the mainland.”

Category two systems can generate wind gusts ranging from 125 km/h to 164 km/h, leading to minor damage to houses and substantial damage to crops, signs, trees, and caravans, as well as causing power outages.

Darwin hasn’t encountered a cyclone since March 2018, when cyclone Marcus, a category two storm, left nearly 29,000 properties without electricity.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has cautioned that conditions may deteriorate soon, with potentially damaging wind gusts reaching up to 155 km/h. These could develop between Cape Don and Warruwi starting Friday as the cyclone nears the shore, extending to the Tiwi Islands early Saturday and possibly reaching Darwin later that day.

Cape Don to Maningrida, including Cobourg Peninsula and Minjilang and Warruwi, are in the BoM’s warning zones, while the Tiwi Islands, and Darwin east to Gunbalanya are in the watch zone.

Coastal areas from the Tiwi Islands to Maningrida might experience flash flooding beginning Friday, with the risk expanding to coastal and nearby inland areas throughout the western Top End, including Darwin, by Saturday.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) has urged residents of the Tiwi Islands, as well as those from Darwin eastward to Gunbalanya, to prepare for potential actions should the cyclone threat intensify.

Stocking up on basic supplies

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) has advised those near and between Cape Don and Maningrida to “immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property, using available daylight hours.”

NTES has also advised people on the Tiwi Islands, and Darwin east to Gunbalanya to “consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases”.

Empty supermarket shelves in the bottled water aisle with only a few drinks left and signs saying the store is out of water.

Store shelves were left empty after Darwin residents stocked up on bottled water and other supplies. Source: AAP / Lloyd Jones

When the system makes landfall it will be the earliest time of the year a cyclone has hit the NT since 1970.

Darwin residents have been stocking up on basic supplies, including bottled water, bread and canned goods, as they prepare to bunker down ahead of the cyclone, leaving supermarket shelves empty.

Extra police have been sent to remote communities to ensure shelters are ready and they have enough food, water and back-up batteries.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.