“Fina is expected to maintain category two intensity in the coming days, but an increase to category three on Friday or Saturday as it closes in remains a possibility.”
Darwin has not experienced a cyclone since the Category 2 Marcus system caused power outages to almost 29,000 properties in March 2018.
‘Warning zones’
BoM has warned the situation could worsen in the coming days, with destructive winds of up to 155km/h “possibly developing between Cape Don and Warruwi from Friday as the system approaches the coast, extending to the Tiwi Islands by early Saturday and possibly to Darwin later on Saturday”.
Flash flooding may also occur along coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and Maningrida from Friday, then spread to the coast and adjacent inland areas across the western Top End, including Darwin, on Saturday.
Stock up on basic supplies
NTES has also advised people in the Tiwi Islands and Darwin in eastern Gunbalanya to “consider what action to take if the cyclone threat increases”.
Shop shelves were left empty after Darwin residents stocked up on bottled water and other essentials. Source: MONKEY / Lloyd Jones
When the system makes landfall it will be the earliest time of year a cyclone has hit the NT since 1970.
#Cyclone #Fina #swing #Northern #Territory #category