Cyclone Fina: City of Darwin closes public facilities, urges residents to prepare for cyclone
The City of Darwin says it has closed its public facilities for the weekend, urging locals to secure bins and remove loose items around their homes ahead of Tropical Cyclone Fina. FREE READ.
UPDATE, November 21, 1pm: The City of Darwin says it has closed its public facilities for the weekend, urging locals to secure bins and remove loose items around their homes ahead of Tropical Cyclone Fina.
The announcement comes hours after the Bureau of Meteorology declared on Friday a cyclone warning for Darwin.
The facilities – the civic centre, libraries, pools, community centres, parks, ovals, cemeteries, walkways, the pound and public toilets – will reopen Monday, following post-cyclone assessments for public safety.
The Dragonfly and West Lane carparks will close at 7pm Friday and remain closed for the weekend; however, permit holders can still access the carparks.
The Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility will remain open until 6pm Friday with extra resources in place.
The facility will be closed at the weekend, however, and remain closed until further notice.
The City of Darwin said access restrictions may apply to the public upon reopening.
Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to cause gale force winds to the Darwin region within the next 24 hours.
City of Darwin chief executive Simone Saunders said in a statement on Friday the closing of the facilities aligned with the councils and operator’s cyclone plans.
“All facilities will be closed for the safety of residents and staff and will re-open on Monday, pending appropriate safety assessments,” she said.
“Keep up to date with alerts and check the City of Darwin website or social media pages for updates on facilities and when services will resume.”
The community is reminded that City of Darwin libraries and carparks are not cyclone shelters and to please familiarise themselves with their closest shelter.
Meanwhile, NT Health has reiterated its priority is the “safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients and communities across the Northern Territory”.
It comes after a Code Brownwas called on Friday for patients and staff.
“Local emergency response plans are in place across all regions to ensure essential health services continue safely and that staff are supported as weather conditions change,” an NT Health spokesperson said.
“Hospitals and health facilities in the Top End remain fully operational, and services are being continually assessed in line with updated advice from emergency management agencies.
“Patients with scheduled treatments or surgeries should continue to attend appointments unless they have been contacted directly by their healthcare team. Where needed, some appointments have been rescheduled to reduce travel risks and ensure continuity of care.
“Our staff are receiving regular updates through internal communication channels, and teams across Top End and remote regions are prepared to respond as required.
“NT Health thanks its staff for their professionalism and dedication, and the community for its patience and cooperation during this period of heightened weather activity.”
In the event of an emergency, the City of Darwin has urged residents to call these numbers:
- Urgent City of Darwin services and facilities, please call 8980 3603.
- For life threatening emergencies or serious injuries, call 000.
- Power, water, or sewerage issues, call Power Water on 1800 245 090.
- If your call relates to damage to your property, damage to main roads or traffic signals please call the Northern Territory Government on 1800 888 901.
For additional information on preparing for a tropical cyclone, visit https://securent.nt.gov.au/
Royal Darwin Hospital issues Code Brown as Cyclone Fina due
UPDATE, November 21, 11am: Royal Darwin Hospital has called a Code Brownfor patients and staff as Tropical Cyclone Fina is primed to pass Darwin on Saturday evening.
A Code Brown signals a response to an external emergency which calls for additional staff and capacity.
Staff at Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) said with the cyclone expected to pass when the nightshift began, their priority was ensuring staff were kept safe.
General manager of RDH, Dr Sarah Watson, said their major focus on Friday was ensuring they had safe and adequate staffing across the system.
“The complexity of this cyclone is that it comes closest to Darwin around the time that the nightshift starts,” she said speaking to ABC News.
“So we have to make sure staff are safe leaving work and staff are safe coming to work so that’s our major priority right now.”
She said plans were firmly in place for staff to shelter in the building if they did not feel safe returning home.
“This is a well praticed procedure,” Dr Watson added. “We test our cyclone plans every year so this is a very well planned procedure for us.
“[Right now] We make sure that we discharge patients where it is safe and appropriate to do so and we have asked the regional hospitals to take their patients back.”
Dr Watson added staff were making sure any patients being discharged who would need to be seen again next week, would be brought back to outpatients.
When speaking to media on Friday morning, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro indicated no schools in Darwin and the greater Darwin region would be closed on Friday.
Schools in West Arnhem and the Tiwi Islands were closed early on Friday after residents on Croker Island were issued an emergency alert as severe weather hits Minjilang.
Charles Darwin University has closed its Darwin campuses due to severe weather.
In a statement online, the univserity urged staff and students to avoid travel where possible and stay updated.
“For the safety of our staff and students, our Darwin campuses are closed today due to severe weather in the region,” their social media stated.
“Please stay indoors, avoid travel where possible and keep updated by checking the SecureNT website for the latest weather and safety information.”
Sports and events cancelled in Darwin as cyclone Watch Zone in place
UPDATE, November 21, 8am: The AFLNT is the latest sporting code to cancel their weekend games as impending Cyclone Fina nears.
They’ve cancelled all scheduled matches from November 21-24 with each game being declared a washout awarding two competition points to each team.
Originally, the league’s rules and regulations stated the competition would play on during a Cyclone Watch and be abandoned in a Cyclone Warning.
However, AFLNT’s Emergency Management Team made the decision to cancel the round as a safety precaution ahead of the anticipated impact.
Head of AFLNT Sam Gibson said the league couldn’t take any risks.
“Following the latest advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and in line with our Extreme Weather Policy, we’ve made the decision to cancel matches to protect players, officials, and the wider football community as the cyclone moves through the Top End,” he said.
UPDATE, Thursday, November 20, 3.30pm: Sporting events and productions in Darwin have been cancelled ahead of Tropical Cyclone Fina.
Palmerston and Regional Basketball Association has cancelled its games while Don’t Dream It Productions has cancelled its closing two shows of the The Rocky Horror Show.
The production company said it was “truly saddened” to cancel the shows and said rescheduling was not possible due to cast availability and the production schedule.
In a statement online, it said ticket holders would get a full refund.
“Due to the current cyclone situation and following advice from Charles Darwin University, we must cancel both Rocky Horror Show performances scheduled for this Saturday,” it stated.
“Your safety, and the safety of our cast, crew, and staff, comes first.
“We’re truly saddened to cancel these shows and deeply appreciate your understanding and support during this difficult weekend.”
The Victorian State Ballet’s Swan Lake, due to be taking place at the AANT Centre on Friday and Saturday, has been rescheduled to February, 2026.
Darwin Rugby Union clubs came to a unanimous decision to cancel the round before a Cyclone Warning was issued.
Originally, games would have continued through a Cyclone Watch but in the interest of safety the clubs chose to cancel in advance with each club awarded two competition points.
The junior semi finals start next Friday while the final round of the home and away season for seniors takes place next week too.
The Palmerston and Regional Basketball Association have cancelled their booking for this weekend due to uncertainty around the weather system.
PaRBA will not be running any of their regular programs, trainings or games at the Palmerston Recreation Centre on Saturday.
NTFL and Darwin Basketball matches and games will continue during a Watch but will be cancelled if a warning is called.
Tennis NT has also cancelled this week’s Territory Junior League for the safety of staff, players and families as the system nears.
“While we are not yet at a warning we want to be as prepared as possible for when it is,” they posted.
“We need to prepare the centre and we’d like to give families and other clubs ample time to prepare their homes.”
The Darwin Greyhounds are set to abandon race meetings this weekend after the Northern Territory Racing and Wagering Commission, which the NT industry falls under, decided to abandon any race meeting subject to a Cyclone Watch or Warning.
If the Cyclone Watch comes to an end prior to scratching time for Sunday’s scheduled race, meeting stewards alongside the commission will assess the track and facilities to determine if it can go ahead.
Cancelled events:
• Rocky Horror Show Saturday shows at Charles Darwin University Theatre
• Victorian State Ballet’s Swan Lake, AANT Centre
• Scheduled games for Palmerston Peewees, Mini Ballers and PJBC U11s, U13s and U17s
• Tennis NT has cancelled this week’s Territory Junior League
Cyclone Fina: Cancelled mobile voting, sold-out torches and water and NTFL and flight warnings
Initial, Wednesday, November 19: Top End residents are being encouraged to check for updates on flights and sporting events while shoppers have been reminded to only buy what is necessary as Tropical Cyclone Fina has been gathering pace.
Emergency services are urging people to be prepared and not panic as Tropical Cyclone Fina reached Category 2 on Wednesday afternoon.
While no evacuation plans are in place for remote communities where the system is expected to cross as of yet, police and NTFRS said they are ready for any development.
In West Arnhem, scheduled mobile council voting services have been cancelled due to the cyclone.
Make up elections for the West Arnhem Regional Council and Litchfield Council are taking place this month after several roles were left unfilled at the local government elections in August.
But the NT Electoral Commission has now axed remote polling services set for Kakadu National Park headquarters and Mudginberri on Friday, and Jabiru on Saturday.
There are no changes to the Litchfield Council voting services at this stage.
“The NTEC will monitor the current weather conditions and the advice of government authorities while working with the West Arnhem Regional Council to ensure safe and accessible voting services can resume as soon as practicable,” the commission said in a statement.
A revised voting schedule is expected next week.
Panic shopping or just another day? Darwin shoppers and supermarkets talk Cyclone Fina
In Darwin CBD, only a few shelves in Coles and Woolworths supermarkets are bare.
There is not a bottle of still water or tin of baked beans in sight at Coles in the Mitchell Centre late on Wednesday afternoon and eggs, tinned soup and toilet paper seem to be running low.
Over on Cavenagh Street, Woolworths shoppers have cleared out the long life milk and baked beans, tuna, still water and toilet again appear to be popular.
A Woolworths spokesman did not comment if there are any stock shortages but advised customers to be mindful of others and only buy what is needed.
“We’re closely monitoring the movements of Tropical Cyclone Fina, and are in contact with the Territory government and agencies,” the spokesman stated.
“All of our stores in potentially affected areas remain open.
“For now, we do ask customers to be mindful of others in the community, and buy only what they need.”
A spokeswoman for Coles said staff were working hard to ensure their stores remain well-stocked.
“As an essential part of communities across the Northern Territory, our team are working hard to ensure that our stores are well stocked so we can continue to serve our customers as Cyclone Fina approaches,” the spokeswoman said.
“We have extra deliveries on the way, with a focus on boosting our supply of essential items including water, toilet paper and canned goods.
“We are well prepared to ensure we can continue serving communities affected, and will continue to work closely with local authorities as the impacts from Cyclone Fina unfold.”
For some people in Darwin, like BCF shopper Tim Hewitt, Tropical Cyclone Fina, if it hits, will be the first cyclone they have experienced.
Carrying two jerry cans that he plans to fill with water, Mr Hewitt, who arrived just after ex-tropical cyclone Marcus, said he was unsure of what to expect.
“I’m going to get rid of the loose items outside,” he said.
He laughingly added: “Maybe even put some water in the bath and see how we go.”
“I’m not scared, but I’m interested to see what happens.”
Buying for her daughter, Susan Daly walked out of BCF Darwin with a rechargeable misting fan, a Thermacell, some butane gas canisters and a headlamp.
She said she was well prepared for Tropical Cyclone Fina.
“It will be my daughter’s first cyclone in the Territory, but I’m meant fly out on Friday if flights don’t get cancelled,” she said.
Ms Daly joked that her daughter wasn’t worried about the cyclone, but “I’m worried for her”.
Torch shoppers at Bunnings were forced to go elsewhere after the store sold out while Supercheap Auto Darwin store manager Asad Hayat said since Tuesday the store had seen an uptick in purchases of torches, generators, gas butane canisters and jerry cans.
“Especially the jerry cans,” he added.
He said while the store usually stored excessive stock, it did not anticipate a cyclone forming.
On Wednesday afternoon, there were still butane gas canisters and jerry cans available, but the stock of generators was getting lower.
“We’ve sold about 14 generators so far, there’s nine left,” he said
Smaller outdoors stores were also busy as shoppers tried their luck with supplies sold out at the bigger chains.
In the city, the NT General Store still had gas, torches and jerry cans on Thursday morning as a steady stream of customers came through the doors.
Nearby at Fishing & Outdoor World it was more quiet, but manager Ronald Voukolos said a cyclone was unlikely to stop the true fishing fanatics for long.
“The tourists up this time of year, you know they’re serious anglers because even though it’s hot and sticky, from a fishing point of view it’s the best time of year,” he said.
“If the winds aren’t too strong, and it doesn’t batter us too much, and a couple of rivers start flooding and flowing, there’ll be a mad dash to get out and try get some big Johnny-on-the-spot to nail a few barra.”
Some customers weren’t so lucky with the timing, having flow to the Tiwi Islands for a fishing charter on Monday, before being forced to fly back to Darwin the following day as police cleared the waters.
“They only got about three or four hours of fishing in before they had to leave, the poor buggers,” Mr Voukolos said.
What is happening with sporting events this weekend?
The Top End sporting community will be keeping a close eye on the weather with matches to be abandoned if a cyclone warning is called.
The AFLNT is currently monitoring the system closely and have processes in place if a cyclone does end up developing during or around an NTFL match.
Under the current AFLNT rules and regulations all games will continue as scheduled if a Cyclone Watch is issued.
However, if that is upgraded to a cyclone warning then all matches during that risk period will be abandoned, even if they have already started.
Cyclone Marcus caused the 2017-18 NTFL grand final to be postponed to the Sunday, which remains the last time a weather event has impacted a match.
If the match had not started or was stopped prior to half time then the match will be deemed a washout with both sides to receive premiership points and no scores recorded.
However, if a match is stopped during or after half time the scores at the time of the abandonment stand as the official result and the leading team at that stage is rewarded the win.
The same is true for Darwin Rugby Union and Darwin Basketball matches scheduled for the weekend with games to continue during a Watch but will be cancelled if a warning is called.
NT airport passengers warned of potential flight changes
Territorians booked to fly out in the next few days are being told to keep one eye on weather updates and the other on flight details as Cyclone Fina is gathering pace over NT waters.
The owner of several key Territory airports, Airport Development Group, released a statement on Wednesday morning regarding passenger safety and flights.
The statement comes as the Bureau of Meteorology revealed Tropical Cyclone Fina has formed a day earlier than initially forecasted.
Airport Development Group (ADG) who owns Darwin International Airport, Alice Springs Airport and Tennant Creek Airport, said flight schedules may change depending on Cyclone Fina’s trajectory and intensity.
“ADG is committed to always maintaining the safety and integrity of our airport operations accepting that the exact timing and intensity of any storm remains subject to variability,” said a spokesman.
Due to the developing weather forecast, they asked all passengers and airport visitors to monitor updates from the Bureau of Meteorology and local emergency services and check with their airline for any schedule changes or cancellations.
Those who are scheduled to fly should also allow additional time for arrival and departure if weather conditions worsen.
Residents in the Top End are being told to take “immediate action” ahead of Tropical Cyclone Fina’s forecast arrival.
In the early hours of Wednesday, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a cyclone alert with a tracking map showing the weather system extending east to north of Warruwi in Arnhem Land before it’s forecast to track back towards the Tiwi Islands early on Saturday.
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Originally published as Cyclone Fina: City of Darwin closes public facilities, urges residents to prepare for cyclone
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