UPDATE: Tropical Cyclone Fina has intensified into a Category 4 storm as it approaches Western Australia’s Kimberley coast, wreaking havoc across the Northern Territory and leaving thousands without power. The storm, which unleashed wind gusts exceeding 200 km/h, passed north of Darwin on Saturday night, toppling trees, flooding roads, and forcing the closure of at least 15 public schools and 26 childcare services.
Residents of Darwin are bracing for more severe weather, with heavy rains still forecast. As of Sunday night, tens of thousands of homes and businesses across Darwin, Palmerston, and the Tiwi Islands remain without power. Power Water crews are on-site assessing damage but have not provided an estimated timeline for power restoration.
The Bureau of Meteorology reports that Fina is moving at a pace of 8 km/h southwest across the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. The storm is expected to weaken back to a Category 3 storm as it approaches the northeast Kimberley coast on Monday afternoon. The intense core of the cyclone is predicted to cross the coast near King George River Mouth by Monday evening. Wind gusts could reach up to 260 km/h, with sustained winds of 185 km/h in the storm’s center.
Gale and damaging wind warnings are issued for areas between the King George River Mouth and the Western Australia-Northern Territory border, while heavy rain and possible flash flooding threaten the Top End. Residents between Daly River Mouth and Wadeye are advised by Northern Territory Emergency Services to remain indoors.
In Darwin, officials warn of rainfall up to 25 mm on Monday. Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro confirmed that no injuries have been reported so far and emphasized that the community’s preparedness mitigated potential impacts. “We’ve had significant damage around properties, and of course, there are some road closures and we now are moving to flooded roadways and other causeways,” she stated.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, southeast Queensland was also battered by storms over the weekend. A severe weather warning was lifted around 8:45 PM on Sunday after locals reported lightning, winds, rain, and hail, with hailstones measuring up to 7 cm at Canungra and up to 5 cm at Silver Spur in Goondiwindi.
Brisbane is forecasted to experience showers up to 10 mm on Monday, while much of the state’s interior, extending into the NT and Western Australia, is under heatwave warnings.
As the situation develops, authorities are urging residents to stay informed and heed warnings. The impact of Tropical Cyclone Fina showcases the need for community readiness in the face of severe weather, as the Northern Territory prepares for what may come next. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
