Cyclone Fina lashes Northern Territory as storm tracks towards WA

Cyclone Fina has smashed the Northern Territory with destructive winds, torrential rain and power cuts for thousands, as Darwin surveys the damage and communities in WA’s Kimberley brace for the severe system to track offshore.

Hamidur Rahim Mahir November 23, 2025 3 minutes read

Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina has hammered Australia’s Top End with destructive winds, heavy rain and storm tides, before curving away from Darwin and heading towards Western Australia.

Thousands of homes lost power, trees were torn down and key infrastructure was briefly shut, but authorities say there are still no reports of serious injuries.

Cyclone Fina lashes Darwin with destructive winds

Fina crossed close to the Darwin region as a compact but intense category three system, bringing sustained winds near 150km/h and gusts up to about 205km/h.

The storm uprooted large trees, damaged roofs and triggered localised flash flooding across the city and nearby communities.

The Bureau of Meteorology later confirmed Fina had intensified to category four strength over water in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, with winds near the centre estimated around 165km/h and gusts to 230km/h.

It is the strongest cyclone to approach Darwin in November in about two decades.

Power outages and damage across the Top End

At the peak of the storm, more than 19,000 customers across the Top End were without power as lines came down under falling trees and flying debris.

Energy crews are working through difficult conditions to restore supply, with some remote communities expected to face longer delays.

Royal Darwin Hospital suffered a partial ceiling collapse and minor structural damage but continued operating after switching to backup systems; no patients or staff were injured.

Meanwhile, residents are beginning the clean-up, clearing branches from roads and assessing water damage to homes and businesses.

Forecast track: cyclone Fina heads towards WA

On Sunday, Fina was located to the west of Darwin and slowly moving south-west through the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, away from the NT coast.

Forecasters expect the system to remain a severe tropical cyclone into Sunday before weakening quickly on Monday as it tracks near the north-east Kimberley coast.

Warning zones currently extend from Dundee Beach to Wadeye in the Northern Territory and from the NT–WA border to Troughton Island, including Kalumburu, in Western Australia.

Communities in these regions are being urged to finalise preparations, secure loose items and stay alert for updated advice.

Warnings, flooding and transport disruption

The cyclone has delivered intense rainfall, with some gauges recording more than 400 millimetres and rivers rising quickly, prompting flood watches and road closures across parts of the Top End.

Authorities warn that isolated communities may be cut off by flooded creeks even after the winds ease.

Darwin International Airport closed as a precaution and is gradually resuming operations as crews inspect runways and terminals for debris damage.

Ports across the region, including Darwin Port, activated cyclone plans and prepared for waves of up to six metres and storm-force winds.

Climate context and lessons from Fina

Meteorologists note that Fina is one of the earliest severe cyclones to hit Australian waters this season and the first November category three system in around 20 years.

They say warm sea-surface temperatures and favourable atmospheric conditions helped the storm intensify rapidly near the coast.

However, emergency officials have praised residents for heeding warnings, sheltering early and preparing cyclone kits, which helped avoid casualties despite the strength of the system.

As a result, Fina is being seen as both a serious test of the Top End’s readiness and a reminder that more powerful storms are likely in a warming climate.

Source: ABC News, Guardian Australia, Reuters, BOM

Image: NT News