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Cyclone Fina Pulls Away From Darwin After Night of Damage as Category 3 System

Emergency crews are restoring power and communications as forecasters warn of more rain and a brief window for strengthening before the system weakens near the Kimberley.

Overview

  • Bureau of Meteorology reports the cyclone’s destructive core is offshore, with the system tracking west-southwest through the southern Timor Sea and forecast to possibly reach category 4 before weakening near the north Kimberley.
  • Darwin and the Tiwi Islands recorded destructive winds — about 140 km/h sustained with gusts up to 195–205 km/h — and 168.6 mm of rain at Darwin Airport over 24 hours, keeping a flash-flood risk in place.
  • Authorities reported widespread damage but no serious injuries, including a partial ceiling collapse at Royal Darwin Hospital that is being assessed by engineers.
  • About 19,000 homes and businesses lost power and multiple mobile sites were offline, with utility and telecom crews conducting damage assessments and restoring services as conditions ease.
  • Darwin International Airport reopened Sunday after a precautionary shutdown, and shelters and federal assistance were activated as clean-up and damage assessments ramp up.