The Northern Territory Emergency Service is urging residents to prepare as Tropical Cyclone Fina strengthens to a category two system, expected to make landfall west of Minjilang on Saturday morning. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a cyclone watch for communities along the north coast and the Tiwi Islands, with potential expansion further south and west, possibly including Darwin.
Cyclone Fina, currently 375 kilometres north-north-east of Darwin and 185 kilometres north of Minjilang, is moving east at 9 km/h. Gales with wind gusts up to 120 km/h are expected within the watch zone from Thursday morning, potentially increasing to 135 km/h by Friday morning. The system may intensify further into a category three storm before crossing the coast.
BOM NT senior officer Jude Scott stated that the watch area could be extended tomorrow, and some areas may be included in a warning area as weather impacts are forecast within the next day. Communities in the watch zone should expect strong winds and heavy rainfall from Friday, with conditions deteriorating further south, including Darwin, on Saturday.
NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner James O'Brien confirmed that the Territory Emergency Operations Centre has been opened, with extra officers deployed to the Tiwi Islands, Minjilang, and Warruwi to assist communities. Emergency services have planned for potential evacuations, road and rail cuts, and other scenarios, though the likelihood of needing these plans is considered low.
NTES chief officer Wayne Snell urged Top End residents to make an emergency cyclone plan for their families, including preparations for possible landfall. He noted that no evacuations are planned at this stage, but advised residents to ensure they have sufficient food, water, and backup batteries.
