Tropical Cyclone Fina is forecast to make landfall in Darwin today as a category 2 storm, bringing with it gusts of up to 140km/h, hundreds of millimetres of rain and potential flash flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a cyclone warning over Darwin, the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Warruwi and inland to Batchelor (which includes the Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang, Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga).

The affected areas will experience the worst of the conditions today as the system travels 11km/h towards the coastline.

Tropical Cyclone Fina is slowly approaching the Northern Territory coast and is expected to intensify to a category two storm. (Bureau of Meteorology)

The last time Darwin saw a cyclone of this magnitude was Tropical Cyclone Marcus, which made landfall as a category 2 storm in 2018.

As Fina is expected to make landfall in Darwin today, here is everything we know. 

What category cyclone is Fina?

Fina is currently travelling as a category 2 storm after it was upgraded yesterday and is carrying damaging winds up to 100km/h with gusts of up to 140km/h.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns there is a chance that it could reach category 3 today.

The current strength of the system threatens to bring down trees and power lines and damage homes. 

Fina will continue travelling as a category 2 as it passes through the coastline this weekend.

The system is forecast to worsen to a severe tropical cyclone and a category 3 storm as it moves away from the coast to the southern Timor Sea by tomorrow afternoon.

Where is Tropical Cyclone Fina now?

Fina is about 90km south-west of Minjilang and 145km north-east of Darwin, according to the latest update about 4.20am today.

It is travelling 11km/h south-east towards the Northern Territory coast and is currently impacting the Cobourg Peninsula, eastern Tiwi Islands and surrounds.

Darwin is expected to feel the worst of the conditions as the storm makes landfall later today. 

About 145km away and travelling at 11km/h, Fina will roughly make landfall after 6pm.

Emergency Minister Kristy McBain told reporters yesterday afternoon that Fina has slightly changed track.

Instead of continuing across the coast after hitting Darwin, it will move out to sea tomorrow.

But winds and rain may still impact the surrounding areas. 

What are the warnings in place?

The NT government’s latest warnings at 6pm yesterday are still current today.

Cape Don to Minjilang is under an emergency warning, with residents told it is too late to leave and shelter in place now.

Darwin, the Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Warruwi, and inland to Batchelor (including the Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang, Gunbalanya, Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga) are warned to watch and act.

Residents should secure loose items and prepare themselves and their properties for the storm.

Those in Darwin should expect to be told to shelter in place later today.

Wadeye to south of Daly River Mouth are under a cyclone watch warning, with residents advised to prepare for an emergency and monitor the situation.

A flood watch is also in place for the Tiwi Islands and Moyle, East Alligator, Goomadeer, Lower Daly, Finniss, Adelaide and Upper Adelaide, Mary, Wildman and South Alligator rivers.

The NT government warns that destructive winds, torrential rain and potential flooding may disrupt essential services like water, electricity and gas.

The federal government has already activated its emergency response and deployed officials and resources to the region.

Authorities have also been working to keep remote Indigenous communities informed.

Fina is currently travelling as a category one storm. (Bureau of Meteorology)

What is currently closed? 

Darwin Airport will be closed from 9am today, as staff are working with airlines, emergency services, and government agencies to ensure the safety of all passengers, workers, and the community.

“Your safety is our top priority. Please avoid travel unless absolutely necessary,” the airport said in its latest update. 

Darwin Airport will be monitoring the situation and advises passengers to check directly with their airlines for the latest information regarding their flights.

“Airlines will continue to update their schedules as conditions evolve,” the airport said.

Virgin cancelled services to and from Melbourne yesterday and services to and from Brisbane today.

The airline is reaching out to affected passengers and advising passengers travelling on Sunday and early next week to monitor the status of their flight. 

Qantas has proactively cancelled a number of flights in and out of the city.

“Our dedicated operations and meteorology teams are closely monitoring the potential impact of Tropical Cyclone Fina, and we are contacting customers directly with any changes to their flights,” a Qantas spokesperson said.

“We are reaccommodating impacted customers on alternative services, and planning additional flights on Sunday to help get customers on their way when it is safe to do so.

“The situation remains fluid and flight cancellations and delays may evolve over the coming days.”

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro shut four remote schools yesterday: Mamaruni School, Warruwi School, Milikapiti School and Pularumpi School.

The ferry between Darwin and the Tiwi Islands is also not running due to the weather.

Darwin Airport remains open for now. (Getty)

How to prepare for a tropical cyclone?

Secure NT urges residents to prepare or enact their household emergency plan, secure loose items, and stay informed.

Every household is advised to have an emergency kit, which should include a battery-operated radio with spare batteries, a torch, a first aid kit, a change of clothes, essential toiletries, blankets and sleeping bags, money, important documents, a mobile phone and non-perishable food.

“Depending on your location, you may need to rely on your kit to get through until the emergency has passed or help arrives,” the site reads.

“Ensure that your kit is able to sustain you and each member of your family for 72 hours or more.”

Anyone in a life-threatening situation should call Triple Zero.

Authorities have also set up an emergency hotline at 1800 888 901.

The Bureau of Meteorology has up-to-date information on its website here. 

Source