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Tropical Cyclone Marcus is expected to intensify to a category two system before hitting Croker Island this evening.
While it is expected to weaken to category one before reaching Darwin at midday tomorrow, cyclone shelters will open across the city from 7:00pm tonight.
Gale force winds are expected in the city from dawn tomorrow.
A warning zone has been declared from Maningrida to Daly River mouth, including Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
Currently the cyclone is approaching the Cobourg Peninsula, bringing wind gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour.
It is likely to pass close to Darwin on Saturday about midday, after crossing the coast tonight, between Cape Don and Croker Island as a category two cyclone.
Wind gusts in this area are likely to reach 130kph.
A storm tide between Milikapiti and Maningrida, including the Van Diemen Gulf, is expected as the cyclone centre crosses the coast tonight.
Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding tonight and into Saturday morning.
Overnight the cyclone is likely to turn towards the south-west and possibly weaken as it interacts with surrounding coastlines.
After passing near Darwin, it will begin moving into the Timor Sea late on Saturday or early Sunday.
A previous warning has been extended to include Maningrida to Daly River Mouth, including Darwin and the Tiwi Islands, while the Daly River Mouth to Mitchell Plateau remain in the watch zone.
Emergency services get ready
Regional controller Warren Buffet, who advises all emergency services preparing for the cyclone, said people should consider whether going to a cyclone shelter "needs to be part of their cyclone plan".
Cyclone shelters are located at Berry Springs Primary School, Casuarina Senior College, Cox Peninsula Community Government council office, Dripstone Middle School, Girraween Primary School, Nightcliff Middle School, Palmerston Senior College, Rosebery Primary and Middle School, the Supreme Court building and Taminmin College.
Car parks at Casuarina Square Shopping Centre, Palmerston Hub Complex, Holiday Inn Esplandade and Palmerston Shopping Centre will also be open.
No toilets will be available at the latter two car park locations, and the Palmerston Shopping Centre has no security.
No trailers, horse floats, caravans or boats are to be brought to the car park shelters.
There will be no food or bedding at any shelter.
"If you are planning to stay at these sites you will need to bring everything you need as part of your emergency kit with you," Mr Jackson said.
Pets are not permitted, and Mr Jackson suggested pet owners shelter with their animals at the car parks if there is no other alternative.
All shelters are strictly drug-free.
"The Bureau of Meteorology is expecting Darwin will feel the full force of Tropical Cyclone Marcus by dawn tomorrow," Mr Jackson said.
"With that in mind, we're urging those in the region to finalise their shelter plans now, particularly if they have to travel.
"We don’t want to see people on the roads during wild weather."
The Mandorah Ferry will cease operating after 7:00pm tonight.
Buses around Darwin will continue to run to schedule tonight, but services may not resume tomorrow morning, depending on weather conditions.
NT Police are also advising residents to restrict all travel once the weather deteriorates.
"One of our worst fears is that people will get complacent. We can't be sure what will happen," Mr Jackson said.
"Motorists should keep an eye out for flash flooding and take care of the roads."
Avoid travel, move indoors
The Northern Territory Emergency Services has advised residents at the Coburg Peninsula and Croker Island to stay indoors and to avoid travel and coastal areas.
Residents from Milikapiti to Point Stuart to Maningrida should prepare for strong winds and heavy rain today and into the evening.
They should move indoors and take shelter as the weather intensifies.
At Point Stuart to Daly River Mouth, including Darwin and Milikapiti to Cape Fourcroy, residents should finalise home preparations and check people they know are prepared.
All residents in the watch zones should prepare their homes, yards and families for a cyclone, finalise emergency kits and decide where to shelter.
Council election, football grand finals under cloud of doubt
The Tiwi Islands Football League grand final, slated to take place this weekend, has been postponed as a precautionary measure.
Thousands of spectators were expected to attend the annual football match 80 kilometres off the coast of Darwin this Sunday, which will instead take place on Sunday, March 25.
AFL NT has also confirmed Saturday's grand final set will be postponed until Sunday, contingent on the weather.
Earlier, the Northern Territory Electoral Commission confirmed the Palmerston Council elections, due to be held on Saturday, could be adjourned if a cyclone watch alert for Darwin was upgraded to a warning.
Commissioner Iain Loganathan said voters would be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
Topics: weather, disasters-and-accidents, cyclones, cyclone, nt, darwin-0800, tiwi-0810
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