The Bureau of Meteorology has upgraded Tropical Cyclone Fina to a category two system, located 40 kilometres north-west of Minjilang in West Arnhem Land. The system is expected to make landfall near Cape Don on Friday night and also near Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands on Saturday afternoon.
Emergency services have advised residents in northern coastal communities and the Tiwi Islands to shelter before darkness tonight. The Bureau warns that conditions will worsen through Friday and into Saturday, with a chance the cyclone could intensify to category three.
NT hazard preparedness manager Shenagh Gamble said northern coastal communities, including the Tiwi Islands, are already feeling impacts. Gales of around 90 kilometres per hour are expected in Darwin on Saturday morning. Residents are urged not to leave shelter during lulls, as danger may persist.
A cyclone warning has been declared for Darwin, the Tiwi Islands, and parts of western Arnhem Land. The watch zone extends from Wadeye to the Daly River mouth. Charles Darwin University campuses are closed, AFL NT matches cancelled, and ferry services suspended.
NT Police Incident Controller Kirsten Engels said shelters are open in Minjilang and Warruwi. Darwin residents may be told to shelter on Saturday. Royal Darwin Hospital declared a code brown, discharging patients to prepare for emergency admissions.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain has offered assistance to the NT, with NEMA deploying officials and backup generators.
