Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina intensifies to category three system as it closes in on Darwin

"Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina has intensified to a category three system as it closes in on Darwin today, making it the first cyclone of that strength in Australian waters in November in 20 years. Northern Territory Emergency Service issued an emergency warning for Cape Don to Minjilang, advising households to take shelter now ahead of a predicted landfall in Darwin this evening."

"A cyclone watch and act alert for other affected areas including the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Warruwi and inland to Batchelor, including Darwin, Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang and Gunbalanya, and also Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga. Darwin was expected to see the worst of Fina's effects on Saturday, as the system advanced through the Van Diemen Gulf. It would be closest to the city at about 9pm."

"Shelves were empty in some stores across Darwin as the city prepared for the wild weather, while NT Emergency Service advised major supermarkets would be closed, and buses would not be running. Royal Darwin hospital has issued a code brown, according to NT News, a nationally recognised emergency alert which streamlines emergency management systems. An approaching cyclone sparked a rush on bottled water at supermarkets in Darwin on Wednesday. Photograph: Lloyd Jones/AAP Coles advised it would be closed on Saturday ahead of Cyclone Fina making landfall in Darwin."

Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina has strengthened to a category three system and is approaching Darwin, the first cyclone of that strength in Australian waters in November in 20 years. The Northern Territory Emergency Service issued an emergency warning for Cape Don to Minjilang and advised households to take shelter ahead of predicted landfall. Cyclone watch and act alerts cover the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Warruwi, inland to Batchelor, Darwin, Cobourg Peninsula, Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga. Darwin was expected to experience the worst effects on Saturday, with the system closest to the city at about 9pm. Supermarkets were closing, buses suspended, and Royal Darwin Hospital declared a code brown. The Bureau of Meteorology reported Fina about 120km northeast of Darwin, moving southwest at about 9km/h, with risks of destructive winds, torrential rain, dangerous flooding, waves, storm tide and possible disruption to essential supplies.

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