Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina likely to cross late on Monday evening

The destructive core of Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to pass over the Western Australian coast on Monday evening.

The latest track map released by the bureau on Monday afternoon.Credit: Bureau of Meteorology

Fina is expected to weaken slightly as it moves inland, but emergency services warn gusts up to 120 kilometres an hour are already impacting parts of the Northern Territory border and the King George River Mouth.

The cyclone is 145 kilometres east of Kalumburu - the most remote permanent settlement in the state - and the Bureau of Meteorology said the destructive core of the cyclone is forecast to cross the coast most likely between King George River Mouth and Berkeley River Mouth in the late afternoon or evening as a category two system.

Winds near the centre of the cyclone have previously reached 155 kilometres per hour with gusts to 220 kilometres per hour.

As it tracks west, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has warned residents near the border and on the northern Kimberley coast to brace for its aftermath.

It is moving southwest at seven kilometres per hour.

Berkley Lodge, which currently sits in the path of the cyclone, said it was closed for the wet season regardless and its caretakers have taken steps to prepare.

“Their safety is our top priority at this stage,” a spokesperson said.

West Australian Premier Roger Cook says the government is on stand by to help anyone who chooses to be evacuated from the state’s north coast.

Cook said the government is on high alert.

“We’re working with the communities in relation to any that want evacuation,” he said.

“At this stage, no community has advised that they’re seeking evacuation. They’re used to these sorts of weather events, but obviously we want to make sure that we have an opportunity to keep people safe, and we’ll do that.”

A community meeting with emergency services and police was held this morning out the front of the Kalumburu store to give detail warnings of the incoming system.

More populated areas including Kununurra and Wyndham will also feel the impacts of the cyclone, with remote communities between those areas also warned to prepare for any potential aftermath of the weather system.

“The very destructive core of the cyclone is now located well off the northwest Top End coast,” an Bureau of Meteorology alert said.

“Fina is forecast to remain a severe tropical cyclone during Sunday as it moves southwest, through the southern Timor Sea.

“It will start weakening during Monday as it nears the north of the Kimberley coast.”

The bureau said while the towns should not be impacted by gale force winds, it is still important to note conditions can change.

Fina caused destruction through parts of the Northern Territory at the weekend, with winds at its centre reaching up to 205 kilometres an hour.

Images from Darwin residents have shown trees uprooted, roads blocked, flash flooding and other damage caused by rain and wind.

No one was injured.