Cyclone Fina: Coastal Kimberley residents on alert as cyclone in Northern Territory upgraded to category threeHannah CrossThe West AustralianSat, 22 November 2025 11:24AMCommentsComments
Authorities have issued a fresh emergency warning for residents in the State’s north to prepare for dangerous weather after Tropical Cyclone Fina was upgraded to a category three on Saturday.
It comes as destructive winds lashed remote communities in the Northern Territory’s Tiwi Islands as the impending cyclone travels through the Van Diemen Gulf.
TC Fina is roughly 85km north-east of Darwin, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and the Territory capital’s residents can expect to experience a “rapid increase in winds later this afternoon and evening”.
Winds near its centre have reached 130km/h, with wind gusts of up to 185km/h.
WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued fresh cyclone advice on Saturday from Troughton Island, roughly 20km north of the Kimberley coast and about 80km north-west of Kalumburu, to the WA/NT border.
“Although there is no immediate danger, you need to start preparing for dangerous weather and keep up to date,” the alert said.
The bureau said after TC Fina passes Darwin, it’s forecast to “maintain severe tropical cyclone intensity” on Sunday through to early Monday as it moves through the southern Timor Sea. It is expected to start weakening on Monday or Tuesday near the Kimberley coast.
“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,” the bureau said.
What to do:Get ready for dangerous weather by preparing your home inside and out. Secure boats, caravans, trailers, garden sheds, outdoor furniture, rainwater tanks, LPG bottles, loose material and rubbish around your home and workplace.Ensure your emergency kit is complete and check your family knows what to do.Your emergency kit should include canned food and water to last five to seven days, a first aid kit, medication, cash and a battery-operated radio and spare batteries to listen to warnings.Do not go out on the water while cyclone warnings are active as vessels can become overpowered, and rescues may not be immediately possible due to the dangerous weather.Know the cyclone warning levels and the steps that must be taken for each level.Monitor the Emergency WA website.For more information on how to prepare visit emergency.wa.gov.au/prepare.Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
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