CYCLONES
Real-Life Cyclone Stories
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Real-Life Cyclone Stories
Tropical Cyclone Yasi, Queensland - February 2011
On 3 February 2011, Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the Queensland coast. It was a
massive 1450 km in diameter and moved at approximately 25 km per hour with wind gusts of
285 km per hour (though no equipment was able to directly measure the winds). Thousands of
people were evacuated from Cairns as it was feared the city would take a direct hit.
Yasi struck Mission Beach, near Cardwell, and the World Heritage listed Hinchinbrook Island.
Luckily no one was killed, but it did flatten sugar cane and banana crops, huge areas of trees
and many buildings. The cyclone was so powerful that it didn't completely disperse until it
reached the centre of Australia, near Alice Springs. It is estimated that Cyclone Yasi cost $3.6
billion in damage - the most costly cyclone in Australia to date.
Tropical Cyclone Larry, Queensland – March 2006
Tropical Cyclone Larry devastated far north Queensland when it hit on 20 March 2006. It
developed in the Coral Sea and was carefully monitored by the Bureau of Meteorology, until it
was officially determined to be a Category 3 cyclone. The next 48 hours were crucial in ensuring
people were evacuated and took the necessary precautions to stay safe.
Cyclone Larry increased in wind speed and was upgraded to a Category 4 cyclone with wind
speeds up to 240 km per hour. It hit Innisfail in the early hours of 20 March and continued to
cause destruction and flooding as it moved west. It weakened as it entered the Atherton
Tablelands.
No lives were lost, but the total cost of damage was calculated to be over half a billion dollars.
Fields of crops were flattened by the winds, buildings ripped apart and beaches eroded.
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CYCLONES
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Real-Life Cyclone Stories
Tropical Cyclone Bobby, Western Australia – February 1995
This was a Category 4 tropical cyclone that began in the west over the Timor Sea near Darwin.
Cyclone Bobby travelled south along the west coast of Australia and passed near Onslow on
the 24 February 1995. It caused considerable damage to homes and buildings. It also brought
heavy rains which flooded and damaged roads, bridges and crops and severely affected the
mining industry.
During this time, there were two fishing trawlers and a bulk carrier at sea. The carrier ran
aground and both fishing trawlers sank, resulting in the loss of seven lives.
Tropical Cyclone Tracy, Northern Territory – December 1974
Tropical Cyclone Tracy was a devastating blow to Darwin. On the 20 December 1974, a low
pressure system developed in the Arafura Sea, which lies between Darwin and Papua New
Guinea. By the next day, Tropical Cyclone Tracy was formed and a warning was issued.
Over the next two days heavy rains and strong winds were reported and Cyclone Tracy edged
closer to Darwin. Due to the time of the year (Christmas), and the reduced threat of severe
cyclones, residents took a relaxed approach to the warnings. When Cyclone Tracy struck
Darwin in the early hours of Christmas Day, at estimated wind speeds of 250 km per hour, it
brought heavy rains and destructive winds.
Forty-nine people lost their lives in Darwin and another 16 were lost at sea. Hundreds were
injured and of the city's 11,200 homes, only 400 remained. Due to the lack of food, shelter,
water, medical aid and the threats of the spread of diseases, 35,000 people were evacuated.
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CYCLONES
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