‘Dangerous’: Warning as Tropical Cyclone Fina continues path to Northern Territory
As Tropical Cyclone Fina approached, residents in Darwin were urged to shelter in place and schools closed their doors.
While TC Fina weakened to category 1 overnight, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts its strength may intensify to category 2 on Friday, then rise again on Saturday and turn into category 3 as it crosses the Upper End.
It is currently located approximately 340km northeast of Darwin and is expected to slowly move towards the Coburg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands on Friday evening.
The tropical cyclone is expected to continue southwest over Van Diemen Bay on Saturday and towards Darwin on Sunday.
Hurricane makes a slow path towards Darwin
While TC Fina is currently slowly moving towards the Tiwi Islands, meteorologists predict that its intensity may increase during the day, bringing it closer to land.
“There remains a chance of reaching category 3 intensity late Friday or early Saturday as it moves toward Van Diemen Bay,” the bureau website says.
The bureau warned that the hurricane’s intensity could increase significantly by Sunday as it moves over the southern Timor Sea.
According to Weatherzone, category 2 cyclones typically produce wind speeds between 125 km/h and 164 km/h, while category 3 cyclones can see wind speeds between 165 km/h and 224 km/h.
They warned that TC Fina’s intensity could force it to the southwest, pushing it towards the Kimberley coast and making landfall early next week.
“Regardless of exactly how close Fina gets to Darwin, the city and surrounding areas are likely to be affected by heavy rains and damaging winds on Saturday and Sunday,” says the Weatherzone website.
“The most intense weather in the Darwin area at this stage will occur between Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.”
Citizens were told to be prepared
A warning is in place on the Tiwi Islands for residents of Minjilang and Gunbalanya, from Cape Hotham to Warruwi, down to the Cobourg Peninsula, as well as Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga.
Residents living between Cape Don and Warruwi have been urged to stay indoors due to strong winds of up to 120km/h.
“If Fina moves further south, storms may spread inland as far as Gunbalanya on Saturday,” the bureau website says.
Destructive winds of up to 155km/h could tear through parts of Cape Don and Warruwi on Friday and spread to the Tiwi Islands and Darwin later on Saturday.
“Heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, is possible in coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and Warruwi from Friday, extending to the coast and nearby inland areas across the western Top End, including Darwin,” the website says.
At around 1am on Friday, a cyclone watch and action warning was issued for those between Milikapiti and Maningrida, including the Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang and Warruwi.
Risks for residents in the area include destructive winds, heavy rain, dangerous flooding and power, water and gas outages.
“NTES advises people near and between Milikapiti and Maningrida to begin or continue preparations immediately, particularly by ensuring the safety of boats and property, and using available daylight hours,” the Northern Territory Emergency Service statement said.
Schools close during severe weather
Before TC Fina’s arrival, the prime minister forced many schools to close their doors until the severe weather passed.
School closures include Milikapiti School, Pularumpi School (Pirlangimpi), Warruwi School and Mamaruni School (Minjilang).
“Non-government schools in the Tiwi Islands will provide status updates or can be contacted directly to verify their status,” the government website says.
“Carers of school-age children and vulnerable residents must now be freed to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities.”
Flood forecast on the North West Coast
High winds and rains devastated parts of the Tiwi Islands, while many rivers and streams on the North West Coast suffered “dangerous” flooding.
Widespread rainfall is expected to reach between 50-200 mm between Friday and Saturday; Isolated falls of 300 mm are possible near TC Fina road.
A flood watch is in effect for the Finniss River, Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town, Mary River, Wildman River, South Alligator River, East Alligator River, Goomadeer River and Tiwi Islands.
“Many roads may become impassable and some communities and farms may be isolated,” the bureau says.
