It was a tense weekend for residents in Australia’s Top End as Tropical Cyclone Fina, a category three system, brushed close to the Northern Territory coastline on Saturday. By Sunday morning, the aftermath was evident across Darwin and the Tiwi Islands, with hundreds of trees uprooted and powerlines downed, some causing significant damage to homes.
As the new week begins, residents are navigating the challenges left in the cyclone’s wake. From school closures to power outages, here’s a comprehensive look at what lies ahead for the community.
Education Disruptions: Schools and Colleges
The Northern Territory Department of Education announced on Sunday that while efforts were underway to open all government schools on Monday, 17 schools remained closed due to power losses or significant damage. The affected schools include:
- Alawa Primary School
- Bees Creek Primary School
- Belyuen School
- Berry Springs Primary School
- Darwin High School
- Darwin Middle School
- Driver Primary School
- Dundee Beach School
- Howard Springs Primary School
- Humpty Doo Primary School
- Leanyer Primary School
- Middle Point School
- Moil Primary School
- Nemarluk School
- NT School of Distance Education
- Taminmin College
- Woodroffe Primary School
Families were notified directly about these closures. The department is also coordinating with early-child services and private schools to assess their operational status.
On the Tiwi Islands, Tiwi College announced its closure “until further notice” due to extensive damage. A statement from the college highlighted issues such as flooded administration buildings and water supply problems.
Business Operations and Power Restoration
Despite the disruptions, most businesses in the Top End are expected to operate normally. NT Police Force’s incident controller, Kirsten Engels, confirmed that businesses would resume operations on Monday unless specific safety concerns arise.
Reports indicate that several Woolworths stores in the Darwin region, including those in Gateway, Casuarina, and Darwin CBD, managed to open. However, some branches remained closed due to power outages, with hopes to resolve these issues by Monday.
Power Outages: A Gradual Recovery
Approximately 19,500 homes and businesses lost power during Cyclone Fina. By Sunday evening, power was restored to 2,500 customers in areas like Wagaman and Marrara. However, Michael Bessalink, executive general manager of core operations at Power and Water Corporation, stated that a full restoration timeline remains uncertain.
“Unlike a normal fault, this can have multiple faults miles apart from each other on the same line,” Bessalink explained, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
As of Sunday, 80% of the network in Darwin, Palmerston, and rural areas had been assessed, with the remaining inspections expected to conclude on Monday. Meanwhile, power restoration on the Tiwi Islands may take “some days,” according to NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole.
Transport and Healthcare Services
Superintendent Engels urged drivers to exercise caution on roads, noting that many traffic lights are non-operational. Public buses are running as scheduled, and Darwin International Airport is fully operational, although weather conditions will be monitored closely.
Healthcare services remain operational across Darwin and Palmerston, as well as on the Tiwi Islands. Royal Darwin Hospital declared a code brown during the cyclone warning, discharging patients to prepare for emergencies. NT Health has limited hospital visits to essential caregivers only.
Looking Forward: Community Resilience and Recovery
As Darwin and surrounding areas begin the recovery process, the community’s resilience is once again being tested. The response to Cyclone Fina highlights the importance of preparedness and the collective effort required to restore normalcy.
Authorities continue to assess and address the extensive damage, with updates expected in the coming days. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels as they navigate the challenges ahead.
