3h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 12:23amHow can I stay up to date?7m agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 3:32amWhether schools will reopen tomorrow to be decided ‘school by school’
7m agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 3:32amWhether schools will reopen tomorrow to be decided ‘school by school’Regarding schools, Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said principals had been asked to visit their schools and make assessments “school by school” on whether they were ready to reopen tomorrow.
She said those decisions would be communicated to parents this afternoon, “so that all families have certainty around what tomorrow looks like”.
“Families are really keen to understand whether or not they’ll be sending their children to school tomorrow, and we very much want to make sure that we are returning to business as usual in a safe and measured way,” she said.
13m agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 3:25am
Almost 20,000 homes and businesses lost power during TC Fina
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro also said about 19,500 homes and businesses had lost power over the past 24 hours, with crews working to restore power as soon as possible.
More information on how long that could take should come this afternoon, she said, but warned that “it could be days”.
“I’m hopeful by the end of this afternoon there should be much clearer communication coming from Power and Water to Territorians, around what type of lengths of time each suburb might have to sit tight and be ready to endure, given the outages they’re particularly experiencing,” she said.
She said restoring power at schools would be priority.
21m agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 3:17amChief minister thanks Territorians for heeding advice
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has just provided an update at a press conference from a rainy Smith Street in the Darwin CBD.
She said warnings had now been reduced and “we want Territorians to be going back to their business as usual”.
“There remains to be significant debris, trees down, and even powerlines [down], but Territorians who need to move about for essential reasons … and other necessary travel are encouraged to do safely,” she said.
“I just want to thank Territorians for how well they have cooperated and heeded all of the advice from our officials.”
“This cyclone saw a territory that was united and prepared for what was to come, and as a result we’ve seen largely minimal impact and no injuries.”
31m agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 3:07am
Fallen trees trigger power outages around Darwin
ABC Darwin reporter Sam Parry visited Anastasios and Savvina Halipilias in the city’s northern suburbs this morning.
Loading…
The locals are assessing the damage around their Casuarina home after a large gumtree fell onto the carport at around 8pm last night.
The tree also brought down a power line, and electricity remains disconnected in the area.
Mr Halipilias has been advised not to begin clearing the uprooted tree until Power and Water can assess the situation.
(ABC News: Sam Parry)
(ABC News: Sam Parry)
(ABC News: Sam Parry)
(ABC News: Sam Parry)
45m agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 2:54am
Repair crews are hard at work!
Power and Water Corporation workers are out and about this morning, working to repair infrastructure after homes lost power overnight.
There’s boots on the ground and a wheel dozer clearing debris at Stuart Park, in Darwin’s inner city.
Click here to find out which suburbs are still experiencing power outages, and if there’s an estimated time they’ll be reconnected.
(ABC News: Sam Parry)
(ABC News: Sam Parry)
(ABC News: Sam Parry)
In a social media post this morning, Power and Water explained “many homes and businesses” were left without power.
“Our crews are out assessing the damage,” the post says.
“Please stay clear of power lines and fallen trees and follow the advice of SecureNT.
“We will provide more information when we have a clear picture of damage.
“To report a dangerous situation, such as a fallen powerline, call us on 1800 245 090.”
57m agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 2:42am
Locals say TC Fina was more intense than 2018 cyclone
ABC meteorologist Nate Byrne has been chatting to locals about this weekend’s extreme weather event.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina left a trail of fallen trees in its wake, and some Darwinites say the system felt more intense than TC Marcus when it hit in 2018.
“This one was a bit harsher,” one local told the ABC.
“I think this is worse, when we compare [it] with Marcus.”
Loading…1h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 2:28amDarwin Airport reopens
In breaking news, Darwin Airport has now reopened to travellers, less than 24 hours after the city was hit by Tropical Cyclone Fina.
Dozens of passengers who were waiting outside have now poured through the doors.
Here’s a look at the lines outside shortly before the reopening.
The crowd of travellers outside Darwin Airport this morning waiting for the airport to reopen. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
1h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 2:27am
More rain on the way for Darwin as storm moves to south-west
ABC News Channel has just spoken with BOM Senior forecaster Dean Narramore.Â
He says the severe category three system is about 100 kilometres west of Darwin now and continue to move away around 8 or 9 kilometres an hour to the south-west.
“So we’re still seeing the outer bands of the cyclone moving over western and northern parts of the Top End, including around Darwin, and that’s bringing showers and gusty winds at times and some bursts of heavier rainfall,” he says.
“And that’s what’s going to continue through the day into the afternoon today for much of the north western part of the Top End, including Darwin, could see gusts 50- 60 kilometres an hour in some of these bands, maybe some even up to 70, and we’ll get some bursts of heavy rainfall.”
There will likely be another 50 to 100 millimetres of rain in the Top End in the next day or so.
“So that’s going to cause more inconvenience and probably lead to additional areas of flash flooding because things are so wet right now.”
1h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 2:21am
Huge palm tree falls on building’s roof
The owners of Darwin’s National Storage business, near Fisherman’s Wharf on the harbour, woke this morning to a huge palm tree smashed into their roof.
Here are some pictures of the damage:
Cyclone Fina blew this huge palm tree onto the roof of the two-storey National Storage building. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
The tree has damaged the building’s roof. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Reporting by Matt Garrick
1h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 2:05am
Nightcliff Resilience Tree finally falls
 Nightcliff locals have been gathering at the Nightcliff Foreshore this morning to mourn the loss of the iconic Resilience Tree.
The gum had been hanging onto its clifftop perch for dear life for years and became something of a local landmark.
Sadly, the tree was no match for Cyclone Fina – but the Nightcliff community’s resilience remains as strong as ever.
Here’s the tree before and after the cyclone:
The Resilience Tree before Cyclone Fina. (ABC News: Olivana Lathouris)
The fallen Resilience Tree after the cyclone. (ABC News: Olivana Lathouris)
Reporting by Olivana Lathouris.
1h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 1:48am
Yacht stranded by storm on Darwin beach
At Dinah Beach near the city, locals have been coming down to check out a yacht stranded by Cyclone Fina.
There were also a couple of other sunken vessels out in the mangroves and a few tinnies washed up on the rocks.
Steven Chin and his son Archer Lopez Chin were among the locals stopping by to check out the scene.
“Just having a bit of a sticky beak, doing what locals do,” Mr Chin said.
“True Territorian valet parking I suppose, eh?”
The stranded yacht on Dinah Beach. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Steven Chin and Archer Lopez Chin at Dinah Beach. (ABC News: Matt Garrick)
Reporting by Matt Garrick
2h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 1:33am
Weather continues to impact flights
What is the situation with flights today and the airport?
– Nishan
Great question, Nishan!
We’ve been working to contact the airport in Darwin this morning, but so far all we have to go off is this social media post.
Travellers should check with airlines about flight schedules and cancellations, as the Top End continues to experience “strong prevailing winds and heavy rain” from the weather system.
A number of Airnorth flights were cancelled yesterday, with more postponed today.
“Our Sunday, 23 November flying schedule has been postponed until further notice,” Airnorth’s social media says.
“Please do not proceed to the airport.
“Airnorth will contact passengers on Sunday morning with an update on revised flight times.”
2h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 1:30am
🎥: Tropical Cyclone Fina forecast to ease before hitting northern WA coast
2h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 1:15am
Vision of damage around Darwin
Powerlines and trees are down across the city after Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina pushed damaging winds and heavy rain across parts of the Northern Territory.
Take a look at some of the videos from around Darwin this weekend.
Loading…
2h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 1:06am
Darwin and Wurrumiyanga alert level downgraded
The alert level for Darwin and the Tiwi Islands community of Wurrumiyanga has been downgraded to advice, with the NT Emergency Service (NTES) advising there is a decreasing threat.
Advice is the lowest level of alert under the Australian Warning System.
In its update, the NTES warned people in Darwin and Wurrumiyanga not to enter flood waters, and to keep clear of fallen powerlines, fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris.
It also advised drivers to take extra care on the roads, drive slowly and be aware of emergency services personnel who may be working in the area.
The service said no further updates were needed for Darwin, Wurrumiyanga or Wagait Beach at this time.
2h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 12:54am
Can we access the hospital?
NT Health is reminding everyone to only attend Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) in case of an emergency.
That means steering clear of visits to friends and family, until it’s safe to do so.
It comes after part of the ceiling at RDH collapsed overnight, with a wooden panel covering part of the building this morning.
For anyone looking to access advice on the weather event, an emergency hotline is active from 7am to 7pm: 1800 888 901.
2h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 12:47amThe latest from the BOM
The ABC has heard from BOM’s duty forecaster Patch Clapp.
He says Tropical Cyclone Fina is continuing to track further west away from Darwin.
Dundee Beach, Boolgool community and Wadeye still have a chance of seeing gales in the coming hours.
It’s clear skies at the moment but he says there are plenty of motions and winds in the atmosphere.
“[It] can lead to isolated bands of heavy to intense rain in Darwin, Palmerston region and surrounds,” he says.
“Those experiences will be a lot more isolated in the coming hours than they were last night.
“But persistent weather is on the west coast.”
There is still more rain on the way for Darwin and Palmerston areas and there are still damaging wind gusts on waters around Darwin.
However, he says TC Fina is not likely to track back towards Darwin.
There is still a severe weather warning for Acacia Hills, delivering heavy to intense rainfall.
3h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 12:21am
Christmas decorations pulled down in the city
3h agoSun 23 Nov 2025 at 12:07am
Rain continues falling on Darwin (and our staff!)
Rain was continuing to bucket down upon ABC meteorologist Nate Byrne this morning.
Speaking to locals around Darwin, he’s wearing a rain jacket and is using a plastic bag to protect his microphone.
Nate spoke to Darwinites who were looking to buy hot food and coffee, but it’s important to remember the latest advice is to stay indoors until the emergency warning lifts.
“Stay home!” Nate urges.
“One of the dangers of doing what we’re doing right now — telling this story — is showing people the impressive [scenes] and they might want to come down and see it.
“Please don’t, the severe weather is still going on in Darwin.”
Loading…