Blaze Lopes: Year 9
Description of a Tropical Cyclone:
A tropical cyclone is an intense low- pressure system which usually forms over warm tropical waters
(between the two tropics; Capricorn and Cancer) and can be extremely damaging to communities in
which they hit. Tropical cyclones can exist for anything from a few days to over three weeks.
At Midnight on Thursday 3rd February 2011, Cyclone Yasi hit land on Mission Beach on the coast of
Queensland. It caused major destruction along the coast of Queensland, from Cairns to Ayr,
damaging the flora and fauna as well as homes, businesses and vehicles. Cyclone Yasi was one of the
most violent tropical cyclones to hit Australia in a century.
Causes of Tropical Cyclones:
Tropical cyclones develop over waters which have a surface
temperature above 26.5° and that are between 5° and 22° North and
South of the Equator. The heat of the water’s surface temperature
makes the water evaporate and condense into clouds, which release
heat, causing the air to rise further, causing low pressure systems to
develop.
If the air pressure in the upper atmosphere is reasonably high it will restrain the altitude that the air
can rise to. This high pressure forces the rising air to spiral outwards. A tropical cyclone has
developed when the air from the Earth’s surface rushes into the low pressure system to replace the
air as it rises and spirals outwards in the upper atmosphere. This causes the low pressure system and
its winds to strengthen.
The key to the energy which sustains tropical cyclones is condensation occurring in the atmosphere
from warm, moist air. Once tropical cyclones reach land, their strength will weaken due to the lack
of moisture compared to the ocean.
Location of Cyclone Yasi:
Cyclone Yasi had an estimated width of 400km and its eye alone was approximately 100km wide. its
winds had a speed of up to 300km/ hour. Mission Beach was the landfall of Cyclone Yasi. This is the
contact of a cyclone with a landmass. Cyclone Yasi’s
exact location was 17.9281° south and 146.0944° east
with an altitude of 10m above sea level.
There were three major cities Cyclone Yasi was in
near contact with. These cities included: 235km from
Townsville, 138km from Cairns and 1590km from
Brisbane.
Words: 1100
Blaze Lopes: Year 9
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Rainfall (mm)
Temperature (⁰C)
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Landforms, Climate and Vegetation of Cyclone Yasi:
Mission Beach, Queensland, was the landfall of not only Cyclone Yasi but also Cyclone Larry (2006).
The reason Mission Beach is a common location for cyclones to hit is because of thewarm and humid
conditions, as shown in the climate graph above. Cyclones generally travel in unpredictable patterns
but they sometimes head in the direction where moisture is evident. This is how the climate aand
vegetation relate with Cyclone Yasi. The vegetation in Queensland relies on moisture and heat to
survive (bananas) and the climate is the reason the water temperature is over 26.5°C. Also, the
landforms affected the downfall of Cyclone Yasi due to the elevated and uneven land which
decreased its power until it finally became a tropical storm.
Changes:
There were many dramatic changes due to the force of Cyclone Yasi. These changes impacted
socially, environmentally and economically.
Social Changes:
Cyclone Yasi left thousands homeless, tore the roofs off hundreds of buildings, and blustered down
trees and power lines, leaving nearly 200,000 people without electricity. The community of Mission
Beach was hit by Cyclone Yasi when it was at its strongest (Category 5). Nevertheless, many
communities came together through sharing the traumatic experience and celebrating the future,
such as the Community Day and Barbeque at Cardwell.
Although Cyclone Yasi was one of the most powerful cyclones to have ever affected Queensland,
only one related death was recorded. A man died while sheltering in his home where he suffocated
on fumes emitted by a generator he was using in
a limited space.
Words: 1100
Blaze Lopes: Year 9
Environmental Changes:
Cyclone Yasi created floods, and high force winds which caused
disaster for both the towns and the farmers. An example of an
environmental impact is the effect on the banana crops. These
crops were wiped out in Northern Queensland which supplies 90%
of Australia’s bananas. This created problems for the importers and the whole sale markets. Because
of how rare the banana had become, the prices went through a stage of being $25/kg. Also, many
animal habitats were destroyed, causing food chains to be broken.
Economic Changes:
Cyclone Yasi was Australia’s most expensive natural disaster in
history. It was estimated to cost over $5 billion by the end of
recovery. Also, there were costs for people personally, losing
homes, work and businesses and for some it was too expensive to
go back. Also, the amount of food had dramatically decreased;
making it more expensive to buy and sell. The tourism had also
stopped for quite a large amount of time.
Responses:
There were many responses between individuals, groups and
governments after Cyclone Yasi. They ranged from reactions
immediately after the cyclone hit to long term prevention
strategies.
The responses of individuals before the cyclone included
boarding up windows, moving to evacuation centres and
storing and gathering food. The immediate responses after the cyclone included instant searches for
missing people, urgent power restoration, supplies (food, water and medical equipment) were sent
to the locations most affected and charities including Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul donated
money and supplies to the victims.
Individuals:
The individual responses after Cyclone Yasi range from helping the community as a whole and to
running campaigns to raise awareness. The tourism industry of Brisbane is creating a campaign for
the recent floods and for Cyclone Yasi. They are aiming to
raise enough money for Queensland to get back on the “right
track”.
Words: 1100
Blaze Lopes: Year 9
Groups and Governments:
Due to Cyclone Yasi’s high winds, Ergon Energy reported that around 200,000 of their customers
resulted in the loss of power. Within three weeks after the cyclone hit, their electricity was restored.
Ergon Energy recommended they commenced the largest repair and rebuild of the network in the
organisations history (with help from Energex and Interstate Distribution Entitles and Licensed
Electrical Contractors).
“It was an enormous logistical exercise which tested nearly
every area of the organisation,” said Executive General
Manager Operations, Peter Billings.
Every day, the inspectors would visit where necessary and
offer advice and guidance. The key areas for electrical safety
concern were the use of generators, fallen power lines,
damage to electrical equipment and unlicensed electrical
work.
The overall feedback was positive and the residents were grateful for government presence in their
communities.
Prevention Strategies:
There are many strategies when it comes to preventing and preparing
for cyclones. These strategies include:
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Warning and keeping residents informed about a cyclone and
its severity and its predicted movements.
Build cyclone shelters that the whole community can fit in.
Tie down all heavy objects.
Cut down trees which are near to your home.
Words: 1100
Blaze Lopes: Year 9
Bibliography:
Type of
Source:
Internet Site
Style:
Last Dated:
Queensland Government. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi - preparation and response.
Internet wwwpage, at url: http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/fair-and-safework/electrical-safety/forms-and-publications/outlook/autumn-2011issue/severe-tropical-cyclone-yasi-preparation-and-response
Australian Governments. Hazards. Internet wwwpage, at url:
http://www.ga.gov.au/hazards/cyclone/cyclone-basics/causes.html
15/3/2013
Australian Government. Tornado, twister, hurricane, tropical cyclone, typhoon –
what's the difference? Internet wwwpage, at url:
http://www.bom.gov.au/social/2011/07/tropical-cyclone-tornado-hurricane/
Dave’s Garden. Definition of tropical cyclone. Insternet wwwpage, at url:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/terms/go/2849/#b
16/3/2013
GMAT. What is a Cyclone? Internet wwwpage, at url:
http://www.gmat.unsw.edu.au/currentstudents/ug/projects/Darmawan/Cyclone.
html
Global Post. Cyclone Yasi causes ruin, but no deaths in Australia. Internet
wwwpage, at url: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/asia/110203/australiacyclone-yasi-queensland
17/3/2013
Internet Site
Australian Government. Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Internet wwwpage, at url:
http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/yasi.shtml
18/3/2013
Internet Site
Herald Sun. Aussie spirit will beat Cyclone Yasi. Internet wwwpage, at url:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/aussie-spirit-will-beat-cyclone-yasi/storyfn6bn88w-1225999014222
20/3/2013
Internet Site
Courier Mail. Tourism Queensland launches new campaign to lure visitors after
Cyclone Yasi, floods. Internet wwwpage, at url:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/tourism-queensland-launches-newcampaign-to-lure-visitors-after-cyclone-yasi-floods/story-e6freqmx1226004662428
Willy Weather. Mission Beach Weather Statistics. Internet wwwpage, at url:
http://www.willyweather.com.au/qld/far-north/mission-beach.html
24/3/2013
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