‘Dangerous’ Tropical Cyclone Fina intensifies into category 3
Those in the path of the “dangerous” category 3 cyclone have been urged to seek shelter and remain calm, as winds reach up to 185 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Fina has intensified into a category 3, with authorities warning those in the path of the “dangerous” weather event to seek shelter.
The Bureau of Meteorology have declared the cyclone has intensified into a category 3.
The cyclone is currently located about 120 kilometres northeast of Darwin and 115 kilometres east of Wurrumiyanga as of Saturday morning.
It is expected to pass north of Darwin later on Saturday.
“After passing Darwin, Fina is forecast to maintain severe tropical cyclone intensity on Sunday or early Monday as it moves through the southern Timor Sea, and then start weakening during Monday,” the Bureau of Meteorology have warned.
Those in the path of the “dangerous” cyclone around the southern Melville Island and Cape Hotham to Point Stuart have been urged to remain calm and seek secure shelter.
“Do not venture outside if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone — destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any time,” the warning states.
Very destructive wind gusts of about 185km/h are likely for areas along the southeastern coast of the Tiwi Islands on Saturday, the bureau have warned, with a chance it could reach Wurrumiyanga later today.
The destructive gusts are also likely to hit near Cape Hotham later in the morning.
The southeastern parts of the Tiwi Islands may also be experiencing destructive wind gusts of about 140km/h on Saturday morning, extending to southern parts of the islands to areas including Wurrumiyanga during the day.
Destructive gusts may also extend to Darwin later in the day.
The Coburg Peninsula, eastern parts of Melville Island and Cape Hotham to Point Stuart are being smashed by gales with damaging wind gusts to 120km/h, with gales set to extent to Darwin and across the remainder of the Tiwi Islands throughout the day.
The bureau have warned heavy to locally intense rainfall which could bring on flash flooding is possible along coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and the Coburg Peninsula, with potential to extend to Darwin.
The warning zone now encompasses the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Cape Don, and inland to Batchelor, including Darwin, Cobourg Peninsula, Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga.
A watch zone has been declared for Wadeye to south of Daly River Mouth, with a cancelled zone reported for Minjilang to Warruwi.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain warned on Friday that TC Fina could move “towards Darwin on Saturday night” and said she had been touch with the Northern Territory’s chief minister.
“NEMA has already deployed officials into the area,” she told reporters in the National Situation Room in Canberra.
“We have implemented our National Coordination Mechanism and we are arranging a range of strategic planning issues.
“We remain ready to assist if there are any requests for assistance.”
She said authorities would remain eagle-eyed but asked anyone in the region to their part too.
“It is really important now for community to listen to those emergency warnings from Secure NT, their emergency radio broadcasting channels, and we are asking community members to look out for vulnerable community members as well,” Ms McBain said.
“It is really important that we heed the advice of our emergency authorities right now.”
She also said generators had been pre-deployed.
NTES earlier urged residents to enact their household emergency plans, secure property, monitor conditions via Secure NT and the Bureau of Meteorology, and take extra care on the roads.
Coastal residents were also warned of a dangerous storm tide on Friday.
“ (TC Fina) is likely re-intensifying and restrengthening,” a Bureau of Meteorology statement read.
Residents in the small town of Minjilang were earlier told to urgently seek shelter as the extreme conditions hit parts of Croker Island, about 235km east of Darwin.
The urgent warning was issued about 5.20am local time on Friday after destructive winds, torrential rain and flooding hit the area.
“You may be in danger and need to take action immediately,” the warning reads.
“Any delay now puts your life at risk.”
The bureau earlier warned the intensity of the cyclone could severely increase into Sunday as it moves over southern Timor Sea.
Mr Hines said damaging winds are forecast to hit between Cape Hotham and Warruwi, spanning the Coburg Peninsula, Minjalang and Gumballanya.
“We do expect those damaging winds to start in the next 24 hours, mostly through the second half of the day on Friday or into the early hours of the night into Saturday morning,” he said.
“Damaging winds will extend through those areas and could cause significant disruption, power outages, possible damage to property and trees as well. Rain will also kick in through that area.”
TC Fina could hit Darwin on Sunday
Residents were on Friday warned a change is on the way as the cyclone approaches.
“Those in Darwin at the moment … (it) probably feels a little bit like the calm before the storm,” Mr Hines said.
“It’s relatively settled there in terms of the wind flow and there hasn’t been much rain in the area either, but that is certainly going to start to change over the coming 24 hours or so.”
Weather in Darwin is forecast to be windy on Friday with the chance of thunderstorms and heavy rain in the afternoon.
“By far the worst weather conditions are going to build on Saturday,” he said.
“Those winds will continue to strengthen, potentially becoming damaging winds through the city on Saturday, particularly from about lunchtime onwards.
“Those very strong winds could bring down trees, cause damage to vehicles and houses, and they could lead to power outages and throw around.”
According to Weatherzone, category 2 cyclones typically produce wind gust speeds of 125km/h to 164km/h, while category 3 could see wind gusts between 165km/h to 224km/h.
Residents told to prepare
“Gales could extend inland to Gunbalanya during Saturday if Fina moves further south,” the bureau website said.
Destructive winds reaching speeds of 155km/h could also smash parts of Cape Don and Warruwi on Friday, spreading to the Tiwi Islands and Darwin later on Saturday.
“Heavy rainfall which could lead to flash flooding is possible along coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and Warruwi from Friday, extending to the coast and nearby inland across the western Top End including Darwin on Saturday,” the website says.
At about 1am on Friday, a cyclone watch and act warning was issued for those between Milikapiti to Maningrida, including the Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang and Warruwi.
Risks for those in the area include destructive winds, torrential rain, dangerous flooding and a possible disruption to power, water and gas.
“NTES advises people near and between Milikapiti and Maningrida should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property, using available daylight hours,” a Northern Territory Emergency Service statement says.
Schools close amid wild weather
In the lead-up to TC Fina’s arrival, the chief minister has ordered several schools to close their doors until the severe weather passes.
School closures include Milikapiti School, Pularumpi School (Pirlangimpi), Warruwi School and Mamaruni School (Minjilang).
“Non-government schools on the Tiwi Islands will provide status updates or can be contacted directly to confirm their status,” the government website says.
“Carers of school-aged children and vulnerable residents should now be released to attend to their carer responsibilities.”
Flooding forecast across North West Coast
As severe winds and rain smashes part of the Tiwi Islands, several rivers and creeks across the North West Coast have been subjected to “dangerous” flooding.
Overnight, Croker Island recorded 135mm of rainfall, with more wet weather on the way.
“The rain will extend to encompass new areas through Friday as well, potentially moving out towards the Darwin region later on in the day,” Mr Hines said.
Widespread rainfall is forecast to reach between 50-200mm between Friday and Saturday, with isolated falls of 300mm possible near the path of TC Fina.
A flood watch is in place for the Finniss River, Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town, Mary River, Wildman River, South Alligator River, East Alligator River, Goomadeer River and the Tiwi Islands.
“Many roads may become impassable and some communities and homesteads may become isolated,” the bureau says.
Originally published as ‘Dangerous’ Tropical Cyclone Fina intensifies into category 3
