Northern Australia braces for tropical cyclone

Sydney: A category 3 tropical cyclone swept across Australia s Northern Territory on Saturday, leaving thousands of residents sheltering from destruct...

Sydney: A category 3 tropical cyclone swept across Australia's Northern Territory on Saturday, leaving thousands of residents sheltering from destructive winds of around 140 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina loomed off the coast of the Northern Territory for several days before rapidly intensifying to a category 3 storm on Saturday morning.

Authorities warned conditions are expected to worsen quickly and impact the busy city of Darwin Saturday evening.

"As the sun goes down, conditions will deteriorate significantly," Bureau of Meteorology Northern Territory hazard preparedness manager Shenagh Gamble said.

"It will be a long night," Gamble warned.