About 23,000 homes are still without power, and NT Emergency Services is today responding to 500 outstanding tasks after Tropical Cyclone Marcus tore through Darwin yesterday.

The NT News understands Power and Water crews were given the all clear to start repairing broken power lines about 2pm Saturday.

Mr Gunner called the widespread damage a “wake up call”.

“Please keep boiling drinking water, please take a safety first approach,” he said.

“There were over 400 powerlines down, but also about 100 trees resting on power lines.”

Mr Gunner is asking schools in Darwin and Palmerston to stay closed Monday.

“For public servants to take a skeleton approach, if you’re not sure check with your supervisors,” he said.

“We are asking businesses if you don’t need to open, don’t open. Always, please, safety first.”

NT Emergency Services Chief Officer Jason Collins said it had fielded thousands of calls from people asking for help.

Mr Collins thanked people for listening to warnings, and asked people helping with the clean up to wear proper footwear and protective equipment.

“We don’t want a second disaster with people hurting themselves in the yard,” he said.

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COUNCIL’S are working to clear all roadways within their control in the wake of Cyclone Marcus.

Darwin and Palmerston councils have more than 60 staff and contractors each out removing fallen trees and debris. There were more than 200 reports to Darwin Council which established its own operational centre to take calls.

A Darwin spokeswoman encouraged the public to leave green waste on the verges “as is” for the moment in case there were fallen powerlines. Power and water said they were responding to reports of up to 500 powerlines down at present.

“Our priority is clearing roadways,” the spokeswoman said. “We will clean up verges of green waste and would ask the public to leave that until the danger of fallen powerlines is known.

“For backyard green waste we would encourage those who can take their waste to shoal Bay to do so.”

Shoal Bay will operate from 7am to 6pm every day. Those wishing to report an issue can call the Guardian Operations Centre on 8980 3616.

Out at Palmerston, Council official manager Mark Blackburn was assessing the damage. Mr Blackburn said they were prioritising “life and property” and engaged 60 contractors to respond.

He said the council will assist those move green waste to the archer Transfer Station but their preference was that those who can take it themselves should do it.

“For those who are not in a position to move then leave it on the verge,” he said.

Mr Blackburn said Driver Ave which was blocked had now been cleared.

The Archer Transfer Station hours of operation will remain normal for the time being.

Litchfield Council is advising that the waste transfer stations at Howard Springs, Berry Springs and Humpty Doo will resume normal operations from today.

To assist with the cyclone clean up, the green waste fee will be waived until further notice.

Thorak Cemetery and all recreation reserves will remain closed until further notice.