Major warning as Tropical Cyclone Fina ‘swings’ south towards Darwin
A cyclone packing winds of up to 155km/h is set to slam into the Top End, with emergency services warning residents they need to be prepared now.
Northern Territory residents have been warned to take action as Tropical Cyclone Fina swings south towards the Top End coast and Tiwi Islands.
People near Milikapiti and Maningrida have been urged to secure boats and property during daylight hours as the category 2 cyclone started its descent.
Other residents about the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth, Gunbalanya, Darwin, Batchelor, Dundee Beach, Pirlangimpi and Wurrumiyanga have been told to watch if the cyclone threat increases.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) advised at 3.30pm on Thursday, the cyclone was slowly moving south and was expected to continue southward, before it turned southwest through the Van Diemen Gulf on Saturday.
Fina is expected to remain a category 2 storm, but it is possible it could intensify to category 3 late on Friday or early Saturday as it moves through the Gulf.
The weather bureau warned gales and damaging wind gusts between 120 to 155km/h could develop across the Top End and Tiwi Islands from Friday morning, and possibly hit Darwin on Saturday.
Heavy rain prompted a flood watch for coastal areas around the northwest Top End and Tiwi Islands.
Residents have also been warned tides could be higher than normal about the Tiwi Islands and between Cape Hotham and Maningrida over the next few days.
“Coastal residents on the Tiwi Islands, and between Cape Hotham and Maningrida are specifically warned of a dangerous storm tide as the cyclone centre crosses the coast during Friday and Saturday,” the warning said.
“Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding.”
Earlier on Thursday, warnings were in place for residents from Cape Don to Warruwi – including Cobourg Peninsula and Minjilang – as the system moves closer to the mainland.
Residents were warned to enact their emergency plans and prepare properties for intense and destructive winds.
“There is a heightened level of threat,” the Northern Territory emergency service statement reads.
“Conditions are changing and you need to start taking action now to protect you and your family.”
The cyclone was upgraded to category 2 on Wednesday evening and is continuing its slow trail eastwards as of Thursday.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said the cyclone is expected to “swing and start moving in a south-westerly path” on Friday.
“That is going to take it through the Van Diemen Golf and near Darwin,” he said.
Due to the unpredictable nature of tropical cyclones, there is a chance it could develop into a more intense system.
“An increase to category 3 at some point can’t be ruled out as it nears land,” the bureau website says.
It is travelling with wind gusts exceeding 90km/h near the centre and could reach 135km/h.
While it is still 380km northeast of Darwin, the bureau expects it to approach the Cobourg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands on Friday, likely impacting the northwest coast.
Mr Hines warned the tropical cyclone could bring dangerous and destructive winds in excess of 120km/h between Cape Don and Maningrida on Friday, with a build-up of gusts around the peninsula on Friday evening.
“We could see those winds even stronger, up to about 150km/h,” he said.
He expects the tropical cyclone to increase in severity over the course of the weekend, with Darwin “in the firing line” for some of the most severe impacts.
Residents in the area have been told to stay alert, as the tropical cyclone brings lashings of heavy rain, damaging winds with destructive gusts and abnormally high tides.
“Damaging wind, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms are all certainly potential there,” he said.
“Flooding and flash flooding are certainly a possibility, in fact tropical cyclones bring all kinds of significant weather impacts.”
The cyclone is forecast to move southwest towards the Kimberley Region by Sunday and into next week, though more intense rainfall and destructive winds are expected until it passes.
“Significant rainfall is forecast across the coast of the Northern Territory,” Mr Hines said.
“Once again, Darwin is in the firing line for that most significant rainfall.”
On Thursday morning, Mr Hines said Darwin would feel the main impact in a few days.
“The strong wind and potential for heavy rainfall really does ramp up over the weekend,” he said.
“We see the risk there for heavy rain, thunderstorms and flash flooding, particularly during Saturday and Sunday.”
The worst of the winds are forecast to smash Darwin about midday Saturday to Sunday afternoon.
“We could see power outages, very, very rough conditions on all coastal waters,” Mr Hines said.
“Later on Sunday and into the new week, we should start to see the significant weather impacts from Tropical Cyclone Fina start to ease across Darwin.”
As the tropical cyclone approaches, the bureau warned residents of the dangers of rapidly rising rivers and creeks.
A flood watch is in place for the Finniss River, Mary River, Wildman River, South Alligator River, East Alligator River, Goomadeer River, and Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town and the Tiwi Islands.
“Many roads may become impassable and some communities and homesteads may become isolated,” the bureau website warns.
Locals have already started reporting an increase in water levels, with roads cut off across parts of the Northern Territory on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner and regional controller James O’Brien said the emergency services were ready for action.
“We have sent extra police to the Tiwi Islands to support the three local committees to ensure they’re well engaged in making sure the communities are resilient,” he said.
“We have a very well established incident management team and northern regional committee. We’ve been dealing with cyclones for many years and have a very trusted and competent team.”
He told residents the threat was not imminent but to prepare to take cover.
“Be prepared but don’t panic,” he said.
Cold conditions in Australia’s south
Conditions will also be wet and wild further south, as a polar air mass drives cold air affecting residents in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW’s high country.
According to Weatherzone, Australia is in a negative phase of the Southern Annular Mode, which is pushing cold weather towards the country from the Southern Ocean.
As cold air moves over a part of the ocean that is relatively warm, it produces a broad band of individual cumulus clouds that can bring hail, thunderstorms, rain and even snow.
Snow has started to fall again in Tasmania, marking a cold end to spring for the year.
The bureau has warned bushwalkers of “hazardous” conditions, as snow continues to fall across the Western and Central Plateau districts.
“Bush walkers are advised that snow as low as 700m is expected during today,” the bureau says.
Originally published as Major warning as Tropical Cyclone Fina ‘swings’ south towards Darwin
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