Emergency warning issued for Croker Island and schools shut as Cyclone Fina approaches
Minjilang residents have been told to finish their preparations now and prepare for strong winds, heavy rainfall and flooding. FREE READ.
Update, Friday, November 21, 9am: Residents on Croker Island have been issued with an emergency warning on Friday morning and told to stay indoors and cancel travel plans.
Four schools have also been closed on the Tiwi Islands and Minjilang as communities brace for impact from Tropical Cyclone Fina.
The NT Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro, declared Milikapiti School and Pularumpi School on Melville Island would be closed in the early hours of Friday morning.
Warruwi School, South Goulburn Island and Mamaruni School (Minjilang), Croker Island, were closed on Thursday evening.
At 5.20am on Friday, an emergency warning – the highest level of warning – was issued for Minjilang, Croker Island by SecureNT and emergency services.
“You may be in danger and need to take action immediately,” the warning directed at residents said.
“Any delay now puts your life at risk.”
People in Minjilang have been told it is now too dangerous to travel and to stay indoors as they face increased risks of destructive winds, torrential rain and possible flooding.
On social media, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, also urged residents in Minjilang to move quickly.
“If you’re in Minjilang, finish preparations now,” she stated.
“If you’re on the Tiwi Islands or between Cape Hotham and Warruwi, secure property and boats immediately.
“Darwin, Batchelor and Daly River Mouth should stay alert and continue your cyclone preparations.”
West Arnhem communities in Cyclone Fina warning zone urged to ‘stay safe’
Initial, Thursday, November 20, 4.45pm: Residents in West Arnhem communities and homelands are being told to “stay safe” while families on Tiwi Islands are making the most of the calm before Tropical Cyclone Fina arrives.
The cyclone, currently sitting at Category 2, is making its way south towards the northern Top End coast with warning zones issued for communities from Cape Don to Maningrida including Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang and Warruwi.
It is expected to approach the Cobourg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands late on Friday, and continue moving southwest through the Van Dieman Gulf on Saturday.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns there is a slight chance it could reach category 3 late on Friday or early Saturday.
West Arnhem Regional Council mayor, James Woods, has extended his thoughts to all communities expected to be affected by TC Fina.
He pleaded with residents to “stay safe” and encouraged people in Minjilang, along with communities and homelands across the wider West Arnhem region, to “take all necessary precautions”.
Particularly as the system may bring strong winds, heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
“Please keep up-to-date with official warnings, look after one another, and share information with family, neighbours, and those who may not have easy access to updates,” he said.
Mr Woods also acknowledged the efforts of emergency services, council teams and partner organisations who are working to prepare and support communities during this time.
Tiwi shores up ahead of Tropical Cyclone Fina
On the Tiwi Islands, a cyclone watch zone has been in place with councils, organisations and emergency services working to clear areas of debris and prepare residents.
Heidi Dorn, deputy chief executive officer of Tiwi Islands Regional Council, said they were making the most of the calm weather again on Thursday.
“We’ve got a little bit more of a reprieve,” she said.
“We did what we could yesterday to get it to a level but now we’ve got another calm day so obviously working hard at it again to make sure the community is safe and we clean up everything we possibly can around it.
“There’s no wind no rain at the moment so everyone’s very calm and trying to get everything cleaned up and really just make sure that everyone is organised.”
Efforts are focused on identifying and ensuring vulnerable people were looked after and that people out on homelands are accounted for and communicated with.
From Friday, she said most of the community would be shut down with only a few essential services open and with necessary services like council and power and water on call.
Residents have been advised on the coding of their homes and plans have been made where possible to shelter with family in higher coded houses.
If not, there are a number of shelters being set up.
“We don’t have a designated cyclone shelter but we do have some safe places,” Ms Dorn said.
“Especially for after if there is any damage, which we’re hoping there isn’t, but if there is anything that happens, we do have some shelters where we can bring people in and look after people during the day.”
Having just received a barge delivery on Thursday morning, Ms Dorn said the community was well stocked and grateful for the amount of time they have had to prepare.
“I feel we’ve had plenty of notice,” she added.
“The warnings that are coming out have provided really good information for a number of days now so its given people time to work out the track, work out what’s going on and ensure that we’re ready.”
Originally published as Emergency warning issued for Croker Island and schools shut as Cyclone Fina approaches
