LOCATION/S: Milikapiti, Wurrumiyanga, Darwin, and Wagait Beach
ALERT LEVEL: Emergency warning - An Emergency Warning is the highest level of warning. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.
RISKS FACED BY PEOPLE IN THE AREA:
Destructive windsTorrential rainPossible floodingPossible disruption to essential supplies like electricity, water and gas
ACTION STATEMENTS:
It is too dangerous to travel, reconsider your plansShelter indoors now - Stay indoors until advised by authoritiesStay informed by following SecureNT on Facebook or listen to ABC Local Radio, the use of SEWS may be played in some areas.Monitor conditions via [http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings]For emergency service in floods, storms or cyclones call 132 500In a life-threatening situation call 000
ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC:
Intensity:
Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 130 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 185 kilometres per hour.
Location:
Within 20 kilometres of 12.1 degrees South 130.7 degrees East, estimated to be 45 kilometres north northwest of Darwin and 35 kilometres south southeast of Wurrumiyanga.
Movement:
West southwest at 8 kilometres per hour.
Darwin radar and satellite imagery shows Fina to the northwest of Darwin as a small but intense system. Based on Fina's forecast west southwest track, the very destructive core is likely to pass just north of Darwin tonight.
After passing Darwin, Fina is forecast to maintain severe tropical cyclone intensity on Sunday and into Monday as it moves through the southern Timor Sea, and then start weakening during Monday or Tuesday near the Kimberley coast.
Hazards:
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 185 km/h are occurring along the south coast of Melville Island and Bathurst Island with a chance of reaching Wurrumiyanga over the next few hours. Very destructive wind gusts are possible about exposed coastal sites north of Darwin (including Gunn Point) but are less likely at Darwin.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 155 km/h are likely to continue to extend west over southern parts of the Tiwi islands, including Wurrumiyanga. Destructive gusts may extend to the Darwin region in the next few hours and possibly further to Dundee Beach tonight, particularly if Fina moves in a more southerly direction.
GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are occurring over the Tiwi Islands and from Darwin northeast to Cape Hotham. Gales may extend southwest to Dundee Beach tonight, Daly River Mouth early Sunday, and if Fina takes a more southerly track, gales could extend south to Wadeye during Sunday.
Later Sunday or on Monday, GALES may extend to coastal parts of the north Kimberley in WA, from Kalumburu to the WA/NT Border, but not including Wyndham or Kununurra.
HEAVY to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL, which may lead to FLASH FLOODING, is currently occurring around Darwin, and will be possible over the Tiwi Islands and elsewhere about the mainland coast between Cape Hotham and Dundee Beach, during the remainder of this evening. The risk of HEAVY RAINFALL about coastal and adjacent inland areas will extend southwest to the Daly River Mouth overnight and on Sunday. Also refer to adjacent Severe Weather Warning.
Coastal residents on the Tiwi Islands, and between Cape Hotham and Warruwi are specifically warned that tides are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark with LARGE WAVES and MINOR FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas.
Safety Advice
NTES advises people in the path of the dangerous cyclone about southern Melville Island and Bathurst Island and very exposed coastal Cape Hotham to Wagait Beach, should stay calm and remain in a secure shelter while the destructive winds continue. Do not venture outside if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone - destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any time. Heed the advice and follow the instructions of Emergency Services personnel and local authorities.
NTES advises people on the Tiwi Islands, and elsewhere between Daly River Mouth to Cape Hotham, including Darwin, should complete preparations quickly and be prepared to shelter in a safe place. Outside property, including boats, playground equipment, chairs and tables should be secured.
