Latest: Cyclone Fina approaches Darwin at Category 3 intensity

Tropical Cyclone Fina has been upgraded to a Category 3 with winds up to 185km/h winds as people are warned to bunker down and find shelter now.

Tropical Cyclone Fina track map at 10.30am. Pic: BOM.

Tropical Cyclone Fina has been upgraded to a Category 3 with winds up to 185km/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.

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

‘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.

Samson and Thomas bunkered down at the Palmerston College shelter as Cyclone Fina approached on November 22, 2025. Picture: Harry Brill

“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.”

Josh Famoso volunteered at the Roseberry Campus as Cyclone Fina approached on November 22, 2025. Picture: Harry Brill

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.

Originally published as Latest: Cyclone Fina approaches Darwin at Category 3 intensity