Latest: Cyclone Fina approaches Darwin at Category 3 intensity
Darwin residents have rushed to shelters as Cyclone Fina intensifies to Category 3 with destructive winds up to 205km/h pummelling the region on Saturday.
Tropical Cyclone Fina has been upgraded to a Category 3 with winds up to 205km/h winds as people are warned to bunker down and find shelter now.
It is now more powerful than Cyclone Marcus which hit Darwin in 2018, causing major infrastructure damage to power which took two weeks to fully restore.
The Cyclone is expected to impact the Darwin region from midday with heavy rains and winds already being felt throughout the area.
The Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Warruwi, and inland to Batchelor are included in the current warning zone with the Watch Zone to Wadeye.
NT emergency services have urged people in the path of the cyclone to remain calm and to remain in a secure shelter as the dangerous winds continue.
An emergency hotline number has been set up at 1800 888 901 for the remainder of the severe weather event, while people are advised to keep an eye on SecureNT alerts.
Camps set up as shelter goers settle in for the night
About 60 temporary residents staying at Darwin’s Supreme Court carpark cyclone shelter are in for a long, hot night as Tropical Cyclone Fina inches its way across the Territory’s north coast.
Despite the cool external air, the heavy rain means attendants have to shut the gate to prevent water inundation in the shelter.
Territorians begun trickling into the centre from 8.30am opening and there was plenty of space for various groups and families to spread out.
The carpark capacity is about 200, similar to that at nearby State Square carpark, which at about midday had 77 attendees waiting out Fina. Three NT Government employees had sacrificed their weekends to help out at the centres, after a mix-up that saw NT Emergency Services not able to attend.
Milingimbi resident Joe said he was told late yesterday by Larrakia Nation representatives that he needed to take precautions against the cyclone.
He laughed that his timing wasn’t the best because he was living in Darwin’s long-grass when Cyclone Marcus blew-up a storm in 2018.
“We were living in a strong house but a lot of trees came down,” he said.
Groote Eylandt resident Leonora was taken to the cyclone shelter by local identity Caroline Reynolds, who ferried a number of itinerant Territorians to shelters and also prepared hundreds of sandwiches.
The lack of food and amenities was an issue for some residents, with Leonora and her companion Dennis requesting tea, coffee and blankets.
“We don’t know how long the cyclone’s going for and we’ll get hungry later,” she said.
An NT Government spokesman acknowledged it could be a long, hot night for residents but stressed the car park was a cyclone shelter, as opposed to an evacuation centre, where there would be additional services.
“We only have a handful of staff today so we can’t have dedicated people say, attending a boiling urn of water,” he said. “This is simply a place to sit out the cyclone and it has obvious limitations.”
Netherlands backpacker Mirtha Louw said she and her friend, German backpacker Silvana Arduser, felt “pretty safe” at the Supreme Court shelter because “we don’t have to see what’s going on or hear what’s going on”.
Told by their landlord their home would not withstand even a category one cyclone, the two agreed to seek safety in the shelter about midday Saturday.
They worried what they would return to, and questioned when they would it be safe to leave the shelter.
The European nationals said this experience was new to them, though the panic buying at the supermarkets did remind them of Covid-19 times.
Asked what message she had for those braving the storm, Ms Louw said “stay safe and help each other; love is the answer”.
Peter and Nelson arrived at the Supreme Court shelter on Saturday morning and said they were visiting from a community outside of Katherine.
However, Peter said they had not known about Cyclone Fina far in advance and had very little with them.
“I think we’re safe here,” he said looking around at the repurposed car park for the night.
“But we have no bedding, no food, we’ve just got water and it’s cold. It’s going to be a long night.”
The duo are two of the 60 people seeking shelter in the court car park.
Around the corner, Territorians Patrick Kam and Clarke Rowan have set up a temporary camp for the night and even managed to bring a kettle for some needed hot coffee.
The two were part of a group at the nearby rehab centre and had been dropped off by staff with an emergency kit and bedding.
“We got a box to share between two and we’ve already pumped half of it,” said Mr Rowan.
“I love cyclones, they’re great,” Mr Rowan said.
“I’m not freaking out or anything, especially being in a safe place like this.
“We just went for a drive to go and grab a kettle and went down East Point and Cullen Bay but you can’t even see anything.
“Trees are starting to come down.”
The pair start chatting about Cyclone Marcus which did not make much of an impression on Mr Kam.
“I slept through Marcus,” he said laughing. “I woke up and I was like what the f*** happened.”
Mr Rowan said he was in prison when Marcus hit where cyclones were very popular.
“We love cyclones in jail,” he joked.
“The one thing you want is for the fence to be knocked down.”
Enjoying a different experience this time around, Mr Rowan said he was encouraged by the community and being with friends.
“I just like that it brings people together, changes the routine - it’s something different,” he said.
“And if people prepare properly...then they’ll be fine otherwise people get hurt.”
“If it does get bad, I just hope people are safe.”
Concern for projectiles
Not everyone seems to have taken the cyclone preparation seriously, with this skip full of loose construction waste left at a Rosebery address.
“Waiting to be projected into the surrounding houses,” one angry neighbour said.
Noonamah’s last drinks
Staff at the Noonamah Tavern have just called last drinks for the day. However all being well they are hoping to have their doors and taps running on Sunday.
Open shelters
The latest SecureNT shows the open shelters are:
DARWIN NORTHERN SUBURBS
Dripstone Middle School
Casuarina Square Shopping Centre (carpark shelter)
Marrara Indoor Sports Stadium
Sikh Community Centre
Casuarina Senior College
Nightcliff Middle School
DARWIN CITY
State Square Carpark (no cars)
Supreme Court Carpark
Double Tree Hilton Carpark
PALMERSTON
Palmerston College- Driver Campus
Palmerston Shopping Centre (car park shelter)
DARWIN RURAL AREA
Berry Springs Primary School
Taminmin College
Wagait Shire Council Community Centre
Girraween Primary School
TIWI ISLANDS
Milikapiti
Primary School
Tiwi Islands Regional Council
Wurrumiyanga
Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School
Pirlangimpi
Pularumpi School
Casuarina shelter filling out
At the Casuarina Shopping Centre basement car park, families and pet owners started to arrive at the designated shelter in the afternoon.
Jingili resident and mum-of-two, Melanie, had not long arrived with a packed car, three family members and a King Charles Cavalier.
“We decided early in the week if the cyclone got to more than a Category 2 that we would head in here because the only safe room in our house has a window which is unprotected,” she said.
“We’ve got about 36 litres of water which was a lot to pack this morning, food, probably not for three days but there’s more food back home.
“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to go home in the morning and that there won’t be a tree through the roof.
“We’ve also got some bedding and we’ve got about three days of clothes just in case.”
Melanie said she was in a Larrakia apartment for Cyclone Marcus which was more of a “blip” but this time, she was quite worried for their home.
“I’m really worried about my house, about a palm tree going through the roof,” she added.
“Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen.”
Jiwan Acharya speaking on behalf of his friends as well as himself at the basement case park, said he was “very nervous” and tried to prepare his house as best he could, however said they “didn’t feel safe at home”.
“Our house is not cyclone proof,” he said.
“People are doing their best to prepare their house, but I advise people to come to the shelters just to be safe.”
French man Thomas Segouin said he was “not very scared” - he later confessed he was “a little bit nervous” - about the cyclone, however he added that he felt safe in the shelter.
“I’m more interested about what’s going on and what will happen,” he said.
Because he lives in his car - he moved to the Territory about six months ago - he said the shelter seemed like the safest place to be.
He encouraged Territorians to seek safety and “don’t do silly things”.
‘We’re safe here’: Locals get cosy in Palmerston shelters
In Palmerston, folks are making themselves nice and comfortable across multiple shelters, with board games, guitars and footballs proving the big winners.
Palmerston Shopping Centre opened its underground car park, with about 30 people enjoying huge real estate each.
Given the shopping centre’s concrete environment, the more popular option belonged to Palmerston College’s Drive campus, where families are able to enjoy the cosy gym hall.
“We’ll probably sleep here tonight,” Mother-of-three Gwendelyn said.
“(We’ve got) blankets and water.”
Originally from Maningrida, Gwendelyn and her husband, Thomas, said they were well cared for by the helpful on-site staff who were happy to assist them however they could.
“We’ll stay here tonight then maybe go home tomorrow,” Thomas said.
Scenes were a bit quieter at the Roseberry Campus, where volunteer Josh Famoso was keeping a small group entertained with a friendly game of chess.
“It’s been pretty good,” he said.
“I can’t complain, it’s my first time doing this… I’ll probably stay 12 hours, but yeah it’s not too bad.”
An entire table was set up specifically for a board game showdown, with Uno, Bananagrams and chess ready to roll.
“We’re safe here,” Josh said.
Cyclone Tracy survivor’s family out before Cyclone Fina hits
Oliver and Ellen Reisinger and their daughter Gabi were making the most of the “beautiful Darwin weather” by going out for a family cycle ride in Nightcliff.
Mr Reisinger, whose family lived through Cyclone Tracey said it’s something they do every cyclone.
When asked how he was feeling, Mr Reisinger said he would likely get more stressed when Fina hit tonight.
“It’s hard to tell what’s happening,” Mr Reisinger said.
“One minute it’s going to be a Category 1 and the next minute it’s going to be a Category 3 with destructive winds.
“But we’ve done everything we can at home to tidy up so we thought beautiful Darwin weather, let’s got for a bike ride.
“And it’s been beautiful.
“We do this every cyclone. We’re always, we’re always out and about when it’s not dangerous.”
Oliver’s family survived Cyclone Tracy in Rapid Creek when he was very young and only had a few metal sheets come off the roof.
But his wife Ellen said hers lost everything.
“We were away in WA at the time so when we came back we had nothing,” she said.
“you’ve got these very diverse experiences where we had only the suitcase we had when we went interstate.
“So telling the kids it can go either way and it’s important that you just prepare and you have everything ready.”
Wind and rain pelted down on Nightcliff Beach ahead of Cyclone Fina, but there was still people about taking in the weather.
The couple urged people to avoid trees, prepare and shelter before the weather became too bad.
“It’s so unpredictable too so just make sure you’re ready and once you’re ready, you can relax and see what’s happens.
“It’s so changing. You really don’t know what’s happening.
“At the moment, it all seems pretty cool, but in a few hours, it could be actually really scary.”
Now or never for Tiwi residents
Authorities say it is now or never for Tiwi Islands residents to move to shelters.
In a post on Facebook the Tiwi Islands Regional Council said police and emergency services were currently in community with buses to relocate people to the school if they needed to take shelter there.
“Now is the time to move to your safest shelter and stay put until the cyclone passes,” the council said.
“Emergency services may not be able to reach you once the cyclone arrives, so please move now if needed or stay where you are if that is the safest option.”
Chief says Tiwi Islands now getting volatile
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said she has just talked to the Wurrumiyanga police on the Tiwi Islands who have advised that the weather is now becoming increasingly volatile and people have taken refuge at the shelter.
“Two Darwin firefighters are assisting to clear some trees from powerlines,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Police have been driving around using loudspeakers urging people to shelter.
“They’re now bunkering down at the station waiting for the cyclone to hit.”
The US Navy Typhoon Tracker has warned Tropical Cyclone Fina will come “perilously close” to Darwin.
The US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Centre website has Darwin very close to Fina’s firing line.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s tracking map has Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina,
slightly further north.
However its latest advice is that Category 3 TC Fina will pass just north of Darwin this evening.
It says Darwin will experience a rapid increase in winds later this afternoon and evening.
Secure NT has warned that the worst of the conditions will impact Darwin around sunset with coastal suburbs of Casuarina, Nightcliff, Fannie Bay and Larrakeyah to feel the fiercest of the winds.
It said despite TC Fina’s arrival coinciding with a high tide there is not expected to be any significant impacts caused by tidal surge.
Secure NT said due to current weather conditions across the Northern Region of the Territory, various roads have been closed or restricted due to flooding and road conditions.
NT Logistics and Infrastructure is working with Northern Territory Police Force and motorists will face strict infringement notices if they do not adhere to restrictions in place.
Road conditions will be assessed when it is safe to do so and restrictions eased when conditions allow.
Cyclone Fina is here
Incident Controller Kirsten Engels has given an update from the Territory Emergency Operations Centre, telling households to activate their emergency plans now.
“Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina is here. We’ve had days to get ready for this and there’s no need to panic. We are prepared, but the situation is serious,” she said.
“We’re seeing the rains and winds pick up in Darwin and the Tiwi Islands already.
“Everybody should now be activating their household emergency plans, or moving to shelters, and avoiding any unnecessary travel.”
Public shelters are open for people who feel unsafe staying at home, but will not provide food or bedding.
State Square shelter
The number of visitors seeking shelter at Darwin’s State Square car park has grown since early this morning.
At midday on Saturday 77 mainly itinerant Territorians were sheltering at the underground government car park.
At 9am only about 15 residents had clocked through.
Mini-buses were transporting people to State Square where they were offered water and shelter
Staff from Darwin Waterfront were registering visitors, with more expected to arrive as TC Fina gained momentum.
Logan Pavlovic was happy to give up his weekend and work during the cyclone.
“No worries about that, he said. “It’s nice helping people.”
The number of visitors seeking shelter at Darwin’s State Square car park has grown since early this morning.
At midday on Saturday 77 mainly itinerant Territorians were sheltering at the underground government car park.
At 9am only about 15 residents had clocked through.
Mini-buses were transporting people to State Square where they were offered water and shelter
Staff from Darwin Waterfront were registering visitors, with more expected to arrive as TC Fina gained momentum.
Logan Pavlovic was happy to give up his weekend and work during the cyclone.
“No worries about that, he said. “It’s nice helping people.”
Residents embrace the rain on foreshore
Rain continues to fall along the Nightcliff Foreshore, where some residents appear to be treating business as usual.
Long-time resident Andrew Grey said he wasn’t worried about the cyclone, adding that his Palmerston home was strong enough to make it through the destructive winds.
“We’re well prepared,” he said.
“I work FIFO, so I got my boss to fly me home early so I could spend the day cleaning up and preparing for the cyclone.”
Andrew’s eight-year-old son Jackson joked “me and him (Andrew) want to go for a swim inside the zone”.
Jackson, who lived through Tropical Cyclone Marcus when he was only 10-weeks-old, said “if anything, I’m excited for it”.
“I’m most excited for the wind,” he said.
While the pair weren’t too worried, Andrew did encourage Territorians to “make smart choices” to stay safe.
New Darwin resident, Gabe Varga, was out at Nightcliff Foreshore to see if there were any big waves in the morning.
Mr Varga said he had looked up what happened with Cyclone Marcus in preparation for his first cyclone this weekend.
“I’ve never experienced cyclones before,” he said.
“I have mixed feelings,” he said.
“I’m a little bit excited but I’m a bit worried too.
“We’ll just see what’s coming I hope for the best. I hope nothing serious will happen.”
Mr Varga, who recently moved from Hungary, said he had followed all the advice and stocked up on food and water and cleared and secured his garden.
“But I didn’t go crazy,” he added.
“I didn’t go and buy all the toilet paper.”
No emergency exit for Tiwi
Tiwi Islands officials and residents are scrambling to deal with upgraded Category 3 Cyclone Fina.
Tiwi Islands Regional Council deputy chief executive Heidi Dorn said residents were now worried and that the mood on the island had changed significantly since the Category 3 declaration was made early Saturday morning.
She said residents on the Islands’ non cyclone-coded houses were given the option of evacuating to Wurrumiyanga School hall, which isn’t cyclone coded and has only a capacity of about 80 people.
Ms Dorn said currently about 30 residents were in the shelter but with winds picking up and rainfall heavier, that number was expected to increase as the day progressed.
“We’ve got together buses from the Land Council and troopies from the Regional Council to start doing laps around town to pick up those families who want to move down to shelter,” she said.
“There is a considerable amount of housing that doesn’t meet code and it’s their choice whether they stay at home or come down to the school.
“We’ve also met to establish response groups for when powerlines and trees go down so we’ve got utes set up with chainsaws and response kits and they’re ready to go.”
Ms Dorn said the failure to have proper shelter on the Tiwi Islands wasn’t good enough, and residents felt abandoned.
”Now it’s reached Category 3 I can see a shift in how people are feeling because we weren’t expecting it 24 hours ago and what the outcome’s going to be.
“People are worried now. Everyone’s trying to stay calm and doing a good job at staying calm but deep down everyone is really concerned now there’s no emergency exit, no plan and no cyclone shelter.
“We need to keep these conversations going after this so nobody on the Tiwi Islands has to feel this way again.”
Animals herded indoors
Families across Darwin are breaking their ‘no animals inside rule’ - including an animal-loving politician.
As Cyclone Fina ramps up, Member for Goyder Andrew Mackay took to social media encouraging his constituents to make an exception for their pets and livestock.
“If you haven’t already, now is the time to bring your feathered friends inside unless they have an appropriate shelter,” he said.
“They’d do the same for you!”
With a view to leading by example, Mr Mackay shared a picture of his toilet room which was crammed with several chickens chilling out in their new digs for the day.
Mr Mackay’s electorate, which stretches across the south east of Darwin, has already felt the effects of Cyclone Fina with various locations having already lost power.
First cyclone for many
Max Newton and Lucy Johnson were enjoying a bit of the weather along Nightcliff Foreshore before taking shelter later.
They had just finished a final shop at The Oriental Emporium and bought some “overpriced water”.
“We’re feeling reasonably prepared it’s the first one for me,” said Lucy.
“I’ve been here for four years and avoided all warnings in the past so let’s see.”
“Always wanted a monsoon and now we’ve got a historic one,” said Max.
“It’s nice to see people, as long as they go home soon like us, it’s nice to see people enjoying it.”
New Darwin resident, Gabe Varga, was out at Nightcliff Foreshore to see if there were any big waves in the morning.
Mr Varga said he had looked up what happened with Cyclone Marcus in preparation for his first cyclone this weekend.
“I’ve never experienced cyclones before,” he said.
“I have mixed feelings,” he said.
“I’m a little bit excited but I’m a bit worried too.
“We’ll just see what’s coming I hope for the best. I hope nothing serious will happen.”
Mr Varga, who recently moved from Hungary, said he had followed all the advice and stocked up on food and water and cleared and secured his garden.
“But I didn’t go crazy,” he added.
“I didn’t go and buy all the toilet paper.”
Father and daughter, Mark and Tegan Webber, said Fina would be their first cyclone experience having moved from Canberra a few years ago.
But they said Mr Webber’s wife and Tegan’s mum, Bronwyn, was in Darwin for Cyclone Tracy and had helped prepare them.
Tegan said her mum was nine years old when Cyclone Tracy hit.
“She bunkered under the bed and then during the night, the roof blew off the accommodation and then they were evacuated down to Melbourne,” she said.
“What she told me was quite traumatising obviously but she’s a very strong woman and I think she’s putting on a strong front for us as well with it being our first cyclone.”
Mr Webber said he had been moving all the outside furniture inside and securing loose items as well as making sure the pets were safe.
“We’ve just been making sure generally that if we can’t move it inside, we’ve tied it down to some sort of strong structure so hopefully it won’t move,” he said.
“We’re hoping the house will live up to its cyclone proof data.
“We’re sort of curious to see what if any damage is done to the place so we know what to expect for the next cyclone.
“It’s a bit of a preparation thing for us for any future cyclones.”
Residents arrive at shelters
Darwin’s State Square cyclone shelter was open for business, with a smattering of residents seeking safety in the facility.
Security staff at the centre said people began gravitating from early this morning, with about 15 people seeking shelter at State Square from Tropical Cyclone Fina.
The conditions are minimal at best, and if possible visitors are advised to bring their own bedding.
Five security officers were on point at the entrance to the shelter stopping cars from entering. Pets are allowed into the shelter.
Lake Nash residents Keith Dhamarrandji and Terrance Yunupingu have been in Darwin for several weeks and learnt about the cyclone yesterday.
The community, also known as Alpurrurulam, about 1200km east of Darwin, is one of the Territory’s most isolated.
Mr Dhamarrandji said they had experienced two previous cyclones at Lake Nash, but this would be his first in Darwin.
The pair, who were carrying a yellow Sherrin football, initially sought shelter at the Supreme Court carpark, which appeared to be closed.
“We came here to see family and we got told yesterday the cyclone was going to hit and we’re looking for shelter,” he said. “I want to get out of the rain and the wind.”
Other Darwin shelters are located at Casuarina Shopping Square, Doubletree by Hilton and Palmerston Shopping Centre and Casuarina Senior College.
Territorians have begun arriving at the Casuarina Senior College, one of a number of schools around the Top End that have been transformed into cyclone shelters.
Territorians have begun arriving at the Casuarina Senior College shelter ahead of Tropical Cyclone Fina.
Northern Territory Emergency Services and St John members could be seen carrying bottled water and other supplies into the shelter about 10.30am Saturday.
About 15 were inside the shelter at the time, with some slowly turning up as this masthead was leaving.
More are expected to arrive throughout the morning as Cyclone Fina nears Darwin.
Families bunker down
A family from Broom, WA stopped by Casuarina Shopping Centre to get some food only to find the centre closed.
Leanna Shoveller said she and her three children were visiting family in Darwin but planning on seeing out the cyclone from Katherine.
They were planning to leave Darwin in the next two hours and staying in a Katherine hostel.
“We should be leaving today, so we’re trying to beat the cyclone before it really hits.
“And then see how the cyclone goes from there and where the water is and then we’ll take off in a day or two.”
Casuarina shopping Centre centre manager Elysia Billingham on the now open shelter as Cyclone Fina approaches.
“We live in Broome so we’re kind of used to cyclones and the rain, so to us, it’s just rain and water, but we know it could be very severe, especially on the roads.
“We just hope that everyone keeps safe with the cyclone and we hope that everybody stays indoors and God bless everybody.”
The basement car park has 350 capacity but only 20 cars turned up during Cyclone Marcus in 2018.
Defence on standby to assist
The Australian Defence Force is on standby to assist as the cyclone hits the Northern Territory.
Police and ADF personnel are already on the ground assessing damage in Minjilang and Warruwi after Fina passed the remote communities overnight.
Special Envoy for Defence and Solomon MP Luke Gosling said he was receiving regular briefings and the ADF was ready to assist if the NT government requested support.
“Territorians are experienced in preparing for weather events like this, and we’re already seeing people quietly getting on with the job - neighbours helping neighbours, volunteers and emergency crews doing what they do best, and local businesses and charities lending a hand,” he said.
“Our agencies are prepared, our communities are coordinated, and people are doing what’s needed to keep each other safe.”
The federal Government and its National Emergency Management Agency said they are working closely with the Northern Territory Government to determine what assistance it requires and what Australian Government capabilities can be activated to assist.
In a statement it said there are National Emergency Management Agency officials embedded in Darwin to ensure the Australian Government can consider any requests for assistance as quickly as possible.
“People should prioritise their safety by following cyclone warnings and advice, staying aware of their surroundings, and avoiding hazards like flying debris, fallen power lines, and flood waters.
“We are working with Bureau of Meteorology and a range of other agencies to closely monitor the cyclone’s path and likely impacts as it tracks across the Top End.
“We are maintaining regular, open lines of communication with state and local emergency services. “
Tracy survivor recalls horror
Eric Tingey moved to Australia at the age of 18 and in the years since the 84-year-old has seen more than his fair share of cyclones, including Tracy.
The Pearl Nursing Home resident remembers the 1974 catastrophe well as an event where many Darwinites lost everything.
“It wasn’t good, we were living in Moil and we lost everything,” he said.
“I had a wife and two kids and we had no food for three days, it wasn’t good.
“We spent the cyclone in the broom cupboard, the rest of the house blew away.”
The experience changed the landscape of Darwin with houses now built to cyclone code.
“Houses are built different now, they’re a lot stronger, everything’s better,” he said.
But asked on whether he was worried about Fina he said he was not.
“I’m 84 first of all, if it takes me, it takes me,” he said.
“But I don’t think it will, I think it will pepper out.”
Power outage in greater Darwin
Crews are responding to a network outage which has affected Darwin’s rural community.
At 8.40am, Power and Water received notification that a power outage was affecting homes across Bees Creek, Freds Pass, Girraween, Howard Springs, Mcminns Lagoon and Virginia.
Crews are currently working on the fault and no estimated end has been issued.
The next update on the fault will be at midday.
Power and Water had received reports of an outage in the same region earlier on Saturday morning at 5.40am, however power was restored within 30 minutes.
Cyclone category explainer
So what does a Category 3 cyclone mean compared to a Category 2?
Here’s a breakdown of each category and what you need to know in terms of possible impacts.
A Category 1 Cyclone has strongest gusts of less than 125km/h. House damage should be negligible, there will be damage to some crops, trees and caravans and craft may drag moorings
A Category 2 has gusts from 125-164km/h. It can cause minor house damage and significant damage to signs, trees, crops and caravans. There’s a risk of power failure and small craft may break moorings.
A Category 3 has gusts from 165-224km/h. Expect some roof and structural damage while some caravans may be destroyed. Power failures are likely.
A Category 4 has gusts from 225-279km/h. It can cause significant roofing loss and structural damage with many caravans likely destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris is likely as well as widespread power failures.
And a Category 5 Cyclone includes gusts of more than 280km/h. They are extremely dangerous and cause widespread destruction.
Milk, bread, tobacco: Palmerston locals dash for supplies
Milk, bread, tobacco and ice are in high demand as Category 3 cyclone closes on Darwin.
With Cyclone Fina moving quickly, the vast majority of stores across the city were closed.
“Due to Tropical Cyclone Fina, our store will be closed,” one notice said.
“We apologise for any inconvenience.”
However, most petrol stations remained open for trade.
As such, anyone who noticed a missing item in their pantry or emergency kit had the opportunity to make a final dash.
By 8am, bread was completely gone at Ampol, Bakewell.
Five minutes away, Caltex was also out of grains, with just a few cereal boxes left.
“Milk, bread, ice and smokes – that’s what people are buying,” a worker said.
“A few other things too, like Panadol.”
For some, the last minute dash was always a strategy.
One father said he always aimed to buy milk and ice as close as possible to the cyclone hitting.
“I was here for (Cyclone Marcus) and I stocked up too early,” he said.
“This way my perishables should last longer.”
Chief Minister calls for calm
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has told Territorians to get prepared and bunker down.
“Be safe and be prepared,” she said.
“Now that we are on an emergency warning for Darwin down to Cape Hotham, it’s really important that people are staying connected and listening to the advice of the authorities.
“People are now to shelter and prepare their property, and not to move around in the community.
“There should be no non-essential travel, people need to be staying inside, looking after themselves and looking after their families.”
She said now is not the time to panic, it is a time to be prepared.
She said no injuries have been reported in remote communities already impacted by Tropical cyclone Fina.
“There has however been widespread power outages,” she said.
Chief Minister Finocchiaro said people should keep up with Secure NT and media updates to keep informed about the escalation levels.
“People are encouraged to listen to the emergency services notifications,” she said
“There will be regular live updates. Heed the warnings with things intensifying.”
Shags shuts for Fina
The embarrassed owners of Shenannigans Hotel in Darwin have back-flipped on their plan to open during Cyclone Fina.
An NT News team arrived at the popular CBD pub just as proprietors were closing its doors about 9.15am on Saturday.
On Friday the pub’s management posted on social media it would be business as usual on Saturday, despite the impending cyclone.
But the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest announcement that Fina would be a Category Three storm changed all that.
An announcement posted moments ago flagged the change of heart.
“Cyclone FINA update.. Due to Cyclone intensification overnight and for the safety of our staff and patrons we have decided to stay closed today. Please stay at home and be safe. Business as usual tomorrow.. Keep safe people.”
Social media reacted favorably to the announcement the pub would remain open.
Gary Burns said it was reminiscent of Cyclone Marcus in 2018.
“Cyclone Marcus all over again we were in for the paddy’s day breakfast then we were told to go home then after Marcus passed we were back in shags for 7pm lol.”
Cyclone Tracy survivor offers advice
Looking out at the waves at East Point, Sue and Nunz, said they had been up early getting their house ready and nipped out to take their dog for a quick walk.
“We’ve been up since 4am just trying to get things tidied up and prepare a bit more,” said Sue.
“I was just going to leave it until the last minute because I thought it could pass by but it doesn’t look like it’s going to really pass by so we’ve been securing things down this morning since about 4am.”
The couple have been in Darwin for a long time with Sue, a born and bred Territorian, having lived through Cyclone Tracy in 1974.
After being told Cyclone Fina had reached Category 3, Sue offered some advice.
“Find a very safe spot and take your valuables and your medication and don’t panic,” she said.
“Just be sensible about it. It will pass but just make sure you’ve got a very secure place.”
Her husband Nunz added to be wary of what the wind could be carrying.
“It will all happen before we know it,” he said.
“Be careful of flying debris more so than just the wind.
“Things that look innocuous but when they’re going about 120kph, they can be very, very devastating
Bakery a beacon of light as Cyclone sweeps in
As the rain, wind and grey sweep into Darwin ahead of Cyclone Fina, the lights of Fannie Bay’s Outback Bakery are acting as a beacon for any in need of fresh bread, pies or their beloved doughnuts.
Business owner, Angela Piper, said their “amazing” bakers came in at 2am and made double the amount of stock overnight in preparation for Saturday morning.
“We had people outside the door before we were open,” she said.
“The lights were off, the doors were open and people were coming in and we were helping them out anyway.”
Ms Piper said staff had been told that the bakery was the only eatery still open, apart from Uncle Sam’s, with people buying bread and pies all morning.
“We’ve even got people buying cold pies because we do have a stock of our pies in the cool room so they’re taking pies home for later,” she said.
“So all the basics: bread, pies and our doughnuts - they always sell out.”
Ms Piper, who is celebrating her one year anniversary since taking over the business the same day Cyclone Fina is set to arrive in Darwin, said they would probably close before lunch.
“We were sold out of bread by 11am yesterday even with the extra production so I’m expecting that we’ll sell out,” Ms Piper added.
“We’re feeling pretty calm. We’ve got a backup generator out the back just to keep the cool room running.
“If we can keep everything cold in the cool room, all of our stock, that’s the main objective and to keep everyone safe. And hopefully have bread on Monday.”
Over her 26 years of living in Darwin, Ms Piper has seen a few cyclones including Marcus in 2018 and would be sheltering at home for this one.
“We’re in an old elevated that’s pre-cyclone Tracy so fingers crossed it holds up,” she said.
When asked if she had any advice, Ms Piper said to find shelter and stay there.
“Cyclones are always unpredictable,” she said.
“Find somewhere safe and stay there. Don’t go out in it and don’t drive.”
A few pet owners and fitness enthusiasts were spotted getting in an early morning run at East Point while the beach remained empty.
Ahead of the cyclone, it seems residents had not stopped at strapping down boats and outside furniture.
One household had also secured a rather large tree sitting close to their home on their front lawn.
Fina intensifies to Cat 3
Cyclone Fina has intensified to a Category 3 in the Van Diemen Gulf.
Emergency warnings are in place for the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Cape Don, and inland to Batchelor.
This includes Darwin, Cobourg Peninsula, Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga.
Very destructive wind gusts to 185km/h are likely along the southeastern coast of Tiwi Islands this morning, moving west during the day, with a slight chance of reaching Wurrumiyanga later today.
Meanwhile, community shelters have opened across the Top End.
Territory Emergency Operations Group Incident Controller Superintendent Kirsten Engels said the eye of the storm was travelling between Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
“The situation is really serious, people should be moving to shelters or bunkering down at home and avoiding any unnecessary travel,” she said.
“We have been planning for this, we don’t need to panic, we just need to put all of those plans we’ve been speaking about daily into place.
“We have an emergency number and that’s operational daily, it’s not a Triple 0 numbers, that’s just for cyclone information.
“There is no directive for businesses right now, but I would urge them to use common sense and to enact their plans they should have in relation to what triggers them to close.”
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Originally published as Latest: Cyclone Fina approaches Darwin at Category 3 intensity
