Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Severe Cyclone Fina Reaches Category 3, Set to Skirt North of Darwin Today

Authorities warn of very destructive winds and dangerous storm tide for coastal communities.

Overview

  • The Bureau of Meteorology says Fina strengthened to a category three system in the Van Diemen Gulf after crossing the Cobourg Peninsula and is expected to pass to the north of Darwin later today.
  • Sustained winds near the centre are about 130 km/h with gusts up to 185 km/h, with the system located roughly 85–120 kilometres north‑east of Darwin and moving west‑southwest.
  • A cyclone warning covers the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Cape Don and inland to Batchelor, including Darwin, with a watch extending south of the Daly River Mouth toward Western Australia.
  • Very destructive winds are likely across parts of the Tiwi Islands, with destructive gusts possible in Darwin later today, alongside heavy rain, flash flooding and a dangerous storm tide.
  • Darwin supermarkets and some services are closed, several flights have been cancelled, buses are suspended and Royal Darwin Hospital has enacted a code brown as NT and federal agencies pre‑position personnel and stockpiles.