Cyclone Fina: Coastal Kimberley residents on alert as cyclone in Northern Territory upgraded to category three

Officials issued a new emergency alert for residents in the northern part of the state to prepare for dangerous weather conditions after Tropical Cyclone Fina was upgraded to a category three category on Saturday.

It comes as the approaching cyclone moves across Van Diemen Bay, devastating winds hitting remote communities in the Northern Territory’s Tiwi Islands.

TC Fina is located roughly 85km northeast of Darwin and residents of the Territory capital can expect to experience a “rapid increase in winds later this afternoon and evening”, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Winds near the center reached 130 km/h, with gusts as high as 185 km/h.

WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued new cyclone advice on Saturday from Troughton Island, about 20km north of the Kimberley coast and about 80km northwest of Kalumburu, to the WA/NT border.

“Even if there is no immediate danger, you need to start preparing for hazardous weather conditions and follow current information,” the warning said.

After passing Darwin, TC Fina is expected to “maintain severe tropical cyclone intensity” from Sunday into Monday as it passes south of the Timor Sea, the bureau said. It is expected to begin weakening near the Kimberley coast on Monday or Tuesday.

“Late Sunday or into Monday, storms may extend into coastal areas of the Kimberley in Western Australia’s north, from Kalumburu to the WA/NT border, but will not include Wyndham or Kununurra,” the bureau said.

What should we do:

• Be prepared for hazardous weather conditions by preparing the interior and exterior of your home. Secure boats, caravans, trailers, garden sheds, outdoor furniture, rainwater tanks, LPG bottles, loose materials and rubbish around your home and business.
• Make sure your emergency kit is complete and check that your family knows what to do.
• Your emergency kit should include canned food and water that can last five to seven days, a first aid kit, medications, cash, and a battery-powered radio and spare batteries so you can listen for alerts.
• Do not go afloat while hurricane warnings are active, as excessive force may be applied to vessels and rescue efforts may not be immediately possible due to hazardous weather conditions.
• Learn the cyclone warning levels and the steps to take for each level.
• Watch this: Emergency WA website.
• For more information on how to prepare for a visit emergency.wa.gov.au/prepare.