Weather experts predict that Cyclone Fina will retain its category two status for the next few days. However, there’s a chance it could escalate to a category three storm by Friday or Saturday as it approaches land.

Darwin has not experienced a cyclone since March 2018, when Cyclone Marcus, a category two storm, left nearly 29,000 properties without power.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has issued warnings that conditions might deteriorate in the coming days. Destructive wind gusts reaching up to 155 km/h are expected to develop between Cape Don and Warruwi from Friday as the cyclone approaches the coast. These strong winds could extend to the Tiwi Islands by early Saturday and potentially reach Darwin later that day.

The risk of flash flooding is also a concern, with coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and Maningrida under threat starting Friday. This risk could extend to the coast and nearby inland areas of the western Top End, including Darwin, by Saturday.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) has advised residents of the Tiwi Islands, as well as those from Darwin to Gunbalanya, to prepare for possible cyclone threats and consider necessary precautions.

In response to the cyclone warnings, Darwin residents have been stocking up on essential supplies, leaving store shelves bare, particularly with bottled water and other necessities. Source: AAP / Lloyd Jones

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”.

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.