Key Takeaways
- Tropical Cyclone Fina, a category three system, passed close to the NT coastline on Saturday, causing widespread damage and power outages.
- 17 schools in Darwin have been forced to close due to damage or power outages, with parents notified directly by the schools.
- Most businesses, including supermarkets, are expected to operate as normal on Monday, although some may have safety concerns.
- Approximately 19,500 homes and businesses lost power, with 2,500 having their power restored by Sunday evening.
- The Power and Water Corporation is working to assess the network and restore power, but a clear timeline is not yet available.
Introduction to Tropical Cyclone Fina
Tropical Cyclone Fina brought intense weather to the Top End region over the weekend, with the category three system passing close to the NT coastline on Saturday. As the storm made its way through the region, residents prepared for the worst and sought refuge. The aftermath of the storm has left hundreds of trees down, powerlines damaged, and homes affected.
School Closures
In the wake of the storm, the NT Department of Education announced that 17 schools in Darwin would be closed due to damage or power outages. The affected schools include Alawa Primary School, Bees Creek Primary School, and Darwin High School, among others. Parents were notified directly by the schools, and the department is working to determine the status of early-child services and private schools. Tiwi College, a secondary school on the Tiwi Islands, has also announced that it will be closed until further notice due to extensive damage to the school grounds.
Business Operations
Most businesses, including supermarkets, are expected to operate as normal on Monday. However, some businesses may have safety concerns, and it is up to individual workplaces to manage these issues. Several Woolworths stores have already opened across the greater Darwin region, while others remain closed due to power outages. The NT Police Force’s incident controller, Kirsten Engels, has encouraged businesses to "run as normal" and for residents to return to work.
Power Outages
The storm has left approximately 19,500 homes and businesses without power. By Sunday evening, 2,500 customers had their power restored, but a clear timeline for when power will be fully restored is not yet available. Michael Bessalink, executive general manager of core operations at Power and Water Corporation, has stated that the company is working to assess the network and identify the true extent of the damage. The Power and Water Corporation has assessed 80% of the Darwin, Palmerston, and rural area network and will continue to work on restoring power to affected areas.
Transportation and Infrastructure
The storm has also affected transportation and infrastructure in the region. Superintendent Engels has encouraged people driving on Top End roads to "really take care" and "drive to the conditions." All public buses will be operating on Monday, and Darwin International Airport has resumed operations. However, the airport will continue to monitor weather conditions over the next few days. The NT Police Commissioner has stated that it may be "some days" before power is fully restored on the Tiwi Islands.
Health Services
All hospitals and medical centres in Darwin and Palmerston remain operational, as are the medical centres on the Tiwi Islands. Royal Darwin Hospital declared a code brown on Friday morning and began discharging patients to make room for any emergency admissions. The hospital has limited visitors due to the storm, with only parents, partners, and essential caregivers allowed to visit paediatric patients. The NT Health department has urged friends and relatives of patients not to visit at this time.