Category Two Cyclone Fina Approaches Northern Territory with Powerful Force

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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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.