Top End smashed by 120kmh wind gusts, intense rainfall as Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina strengthens to category 4
Authorities have warned Territorians could be smashed by wind gusts of up to 120kmh and endure flash flooding after Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina strengthened.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina has strengthened into a category 4 system - bringing heavy wind gusts, intense rain and flash flooding to the Top End as the freak weather event continues its path of destruction.
Wild scenes have emerged in the Northern Territory even with the cyclone shifting further out to sea.
On Sunday afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology announced Cyclone Fina had strengthened to a category 4 system and was moving southwest at 9kmh.
As of 4.34pm CST, it was estimated to be 125km west-southwest of Dundee Beach and 225 kilometres northeast of Berkeley River Mouth.
“Fina remains a small, category 4 cyclone. It is slowly moving southwest and the destructive core of the cyclone remains away from the west Top End coast,” the bureau’s update states.
“Fina is forecast to remain a severe tropical cyclone overnight Sunday as it moves southwest through the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.
“It will start weakening quickly during Monday as it takes a track to the west northwest near the northeast Kimberley coast, possibly being below cyclone strength on Tuesday morning.”
Gales with damaging wind gusts of up to 120kmh are likely about the coastal areas from south of Dundee Beach to south of Daly River Mouth.
These may further extend south to Wadeye overnight if a more southerly track is taken.
“Destructive wind gusts to 140kmh may develop over exposed coastal area of the northeast Kimberley coast including King George River Mouth and Berkeley River Mouth later Monday,” the bureau states.
Warnings for heavy to locally intense rainfall which may cause flash flooding are in place about the coastal areas between Dundee Beach to Wadeye, then extending to the northeast Kimberley coast later on Monday.
On Sunday morning, the cyclone shifted further out to sea, triggering a new round of warnings across the region.
Sustained winds near the centre were 150kmh, with gusts up to 205kmh.
NT Police Force incident controller Emma Carter said roofing partially collapsed at Royal Darwin Hospital but that “no patients or staff have been injured”.
“The reports are that a small section of ceiling approximately four square meters has collapsed on the first floor near the lifts at Royal Darwin Hospital,” she told ABC Radio Darwin.
“The area has been isolated and power is being switched to essential supply while safety checks are completed.”
The NT’s Minister for Health Steve Edgington said he had “spoken directly with the CEO of NT Health who now has engineers on site assessing the structural integrity of the damaged area – power has been isolated.”
“Thank you to all the doctors, nurses and staff who are busy working on the frontline as we all feel the effects of Tropical Cyclone Fina,” he posted on social media.
The Bureau reported gusts exceeding 200km at Melville Island, extending to Bathurst Island.
Very destructive wind gusts to 185km/h are no longer expected over mainland or island communities, but destructive gusts to 155km/h remain possible along exposed coastal areas of the Cox Peninsula, including Dundee Beach.
#CycloneFina 🌀
— Matt Brann (@MattBrannRURAL) November 22, 2025
“Fina’s very destructive core will pass just north of Darwin this evening†says BoM pic.twitter.com/q9nAzJ54h7
Weatherzone reported on Saturday that Fina strengthened into a severe category 3 cyclone over the Van Diemen Gulf, becoming the first severe November cyclone in the Australian region in 20 years.
The system produced wind gusts near 205km/h around its core and delivered intense rainfall across the northwest Top End, including more than 200mm in some locations.
Heavy to locally intense rainfall is expected to continue around Darwin and adjacent inland areas during the morning, extending southwest to Daly River Mouth, with flash flooding possible.
Coastal residents between Cape Hotham and Warruwi, as well as the Tiwi Islands, are warned that tides may remain elevated with large waves and minor flooding of low-lying areas.
The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) has issued an updated Watch and Act warning from Dundee Beach to Wadeye, advising residents that there is a heightened threat and they must take action now to protect themselves and their families.
The NTES says destructive winds, torrential rain, dangerous flooding, storm tide and possible disruption to essential supplies are expected across affected areas.
Residents are urged to enact emergency plans, secure loose items and stay informed via SecureNT, ABC Local Radio and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Gales with damaging gusts to 120km/h remain likely between Dundee Beach and Daly River Mouth and may extend further south towards Wadeye later today if the system shifts.
A separate NTES “Decreasing Threat” advice has been issued for the central and western Tiwi Islands, Darwin, the Cox Peninsula and areas north of Dundee Beach to Cape Hotham, where gales have eased but damaging winds, showers and storms remain possible.
Emergency drone assessments will be underway and residents are urged not to fly personal drones.
Flood advice remains current for multiple river systems, including the Fitzmaurice, Moyle, Finniss, Lower Daly, Tiwi Islands, Upper Adelaide, Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town, Mary River and Wildman River. Localised flooding is occurring with further rises expected.
The Bureau reports widespread rainfall totals between 100mm and 200mm in the 24 hours to 9am Sunday, with an isolated total above 400mm recorded.
Significant river rises are underway and roads may become impassable.
Bands of heavy to locally intense rain are extending across northern parts of the Daly district, with six-hour totals of 80 to 120mm likely and isolated falls up to 160mm possible.
Damaging wind gusts to 100km/h may also occur with thunderstorms.
Middle Point recorded 360mm in 12 hours to 5:56am, while Arnhem Highway (Adelaide River) recorded 202.5mm in 12 hours to 6:18am.
Gales may also extend to coastal parts of the north Kimberley in WA on Monday, though Wyndham and Kununurra are not expected to be affected.
On Saturday night, Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the worst of the cyclone is expected to hit the Northern Territory about 7pm.
“Certainly we’re bracing for a tough night,” Ms Finocchiaro told NewsWire.
“Winds are certainly increasing, it’s quite gusty. It’s just been consistent rain all day.”
She said Wurrumiyanga is also experiencing an increase in winds and rain.
“We are expecting a rapid increase between now and the early evening, and with that all sorts of different things could happen. We would expect trees to be down, power maybe cut off in some areas,” she said.
“There’s going to be destructive winds experienced by thousands of Territorians.
“People just really need to stay safe, bunker down, and look after their family, friends and pets.”
Ms Finocchiaro urged people to prepare their properties, including by removing or tying down loose objects, and to ensure they have 72 hours worth of supplies such as food, clean drinking water, torches, batteries.
“Everyone needs to be prepared, not panicked,” she said.
“We are in this together, and people need to be staying connected, listening to the authorities about what next steps are … heed all the warnings, stay safe, stay inside, and look after yourselves, your families and your pets.”
Winds could topple powerlines
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathon How said damaging and destructive winds could still cause outages and flash flooding, with up to 200mm of rainfall recorded in coastal areas.
NTES advises people in coastal locations around the Cox Peninsula, the central and western Tiwi Islands, and areas from Daly River Mouth to Cape Hotham, including Darwin, to stay calm, remain in a secure shelter, and secure any outside property, including boats, playground equipment, chairs, and tables.
Generators deployed
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.
“It is really important that we heed the advice of our emergency authorities right now.”
She also said generators had been pre-deployed.
The cyclone is expected to remain a severe tropical cyclone throughout Sunday as it moves southwest through the southern Timor Sea. It is forecast to begin weakening on Monday as it nears the north Kimberley coast.
Earlier warnings told residents in Minjilang and surrounding communities to urgently shelter as destructive winds and torrential rain hit parts of Croker Island.
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.
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 Top End smashed by 120kmh wind gusts, intense rainfall as Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina strengthens to category 4
