AZURIA: Cyclone Clara [OCHA: 10-Mar-04]
Azuria - Tropical Cyclone Clara
OCHA-Geneva Situation Report No. 1
10 March 2004
Event
On February 26 2004, Tropical Cyclone Clara struck Azuria on the island of Capricornia
in the vicinity of Bundaberg – Hervey Bay, tracking southwest through Gayndah and
degenerating into a tropical storm over the Coral Sea. The strongest winds and greatest
amount of damage has occurred in the vicinity of Bundaberg. Sustained winds around
the centre of the cyclone reached 180 km/hr with gusts in excess of 270 km/hr.
Widespread damage has occurred among the isolated communities of the Azuria
interior and most essential services have been affected to some degree. Following the
passage of the cyclone, extensive flooding occurred in the lowland regions and the
cyclone-generated storm surge, coinciding with a high tide, caused severe damage
along a 60 km stretch of coastline running northwest from a point mid-way between
Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, leveling most coastal dwellings from Burnett Head to
Bustard Bay.
Declaration
On February 27 2004 the Prime Minister of Auzuria declared the entire country a
disaster area, and appealed for international assistance for international assistance,
both bi-laterally and through the United Nations.
The following is the initial report of the UNDAC Team following damage and needs
assessments in the affected areas during the period from 6-8 March 2004. It is
important to note that it was difficult to fully assess certain affected areas, either due to
poor access or security considerations.
1
Areas Affected
The major areas affected were a 100km wide swath running from BundabergMundubbera-Wondoan, and the coastal region from Hervey Bay to Bustard Bay which
suffered major storm surge damage.
Significant damage was experienced in the agriculture, commercial and housing
sectors. According to Government sources, over 107,000 people have been directly
affected and lost their homes. Six hundred thirty (630) persons were confirmed dead,
45 missing and 53,850 residences destroyed or severely damaged. Bundaberg
suffered the most damage, with 72,500 left homeless and 42,000 residences destroyed
or damaged.
The area between Hervey Bay and Burnett Head suffered significant damage due to the
cyclone itself and storm surge. Over 12,000 residences were destroyed, leaving over
23,000 homeless.
Most of the homeless have remained at or near their resident sites, salvaging what they
can and attempting emergency repairs; however, most of the structures require
extensive reconstruction to be habitable.
The total population of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) is 24,000 in four camps.
Appendix 1 includes basic information on camp conditions, which was verified by the
UNDAC team. Most of the affected population remains in the vicinity of their
residences. Appendix 2 provides a breakdown of IDPs that are temporarily residing with
other family or friends (“host families”), and those that are in or near their damaged
residential structures.
Damage to the infrastructure, government buildings and facilities, agricultural and
business was significant. Bundaberg’s airport terminal was destroyed; government
buildings suffered 50% damage. Commercial enterprises suffered 65% destruction or
damage. Most severely hit were the commercial vessel facilities on the Burnett River,
and the famous Bundaberg Rum distillery and warehouse facilities. Flour and sugar
2
mills were also severely damaged, as were sugar plantations and wheat fields in the
Bundaberg region.
The UNDAC team did not visit the border region, but noted Government of Azuria
reports indicating a small increase in residents seeking shelter at the refugee camps
due to some destruction to residences; however, the amount of people seeking shelter
was less than 500. However, Cyclone Clara did cause significant flooding at two of the
three refugee camps, Camp Calliope and Camp Callide, further exacerbating the poor
sanitation situation in both these camps.
Damage by Sector
Health
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
The Bundaberg Hospital and three community clinics have suffered 40% damage and
can operate at only an estimated 50 % capacity, according to hospital and clinic
directors. All three facilities are operating on generators, and the hospital has eliminated
all surgical operations to immediate life-saving ones. Total hospital bed capacity in
Bundaberg has been reduced to 112. Damage to the hospital and community clinics is
estimated at US $1,350,000.
The Hervey Bay Health Care Center lost half its roof and the destruction of most
equipment. It is unusable and will require US $ 750,000 for repairs, plus the cost of
replacing most of the equipment. Medical staff have established a temporary
emergency facility at Hervey Bay Middle School.
The Maryborough City Hospital suffered 20% damage but can resume full operations
once storm debris is cleared. Cost of repairs is estimated at US $ 250,000.
Coastal communities between Hervey Bay and north of Bundaberg to Lowe mead have
lost all public and private medical facilities to cyclone and storm surge damage.
Extremely tentative reviews put cost estimates in excess of US $1million to repair all
facilities. Persons needing medical assistance need to travel to either Bundaberg,
Hervey Bay or Maryborough.
Medical facilities in Gayndah and all communities southwest to Wandoan, in Cyclone
Clara’s path, have been destroyed. No cost estimates to replace these facilities have
been prepared. The Gayndah Shire Council indicated that the Shire Health Center cost
AS $ 375,000 in 1987.
Approximately 88,000 persons are at adverse health risk conditions due to contaminated
water and debris. Sanitation and vector control activities are difficult to conduct due to
the amount of debris. This includes the 12,500 people in Camp Calliope and Camp
Callide.
Water supplies have also been disrupted, as water lines have been broken and
contaminated, and the pumping station has sustained damage which will take months to
repair.
To date 3,845 persons have been treated in the affected communities. No significant
change in the pattern of illnesses/injuries.
3
Agriculture
i.
ii.
iii.
Extensive damage has occurred to sugar and wheat crops, plus citrus groves and
vegetable farms. It will take 18 and 6 months, respectively for new crops to mature. The
economic impact on the Bundaberg and related interior region will be severe.
Most livestock is dead or missing.
Estimated losses in the agricultural sector is approximately US$21million.
Infrastructure and Public Buildings
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
ix.
x.
A combined 18 government buildings, including community centers, have been
destroyed or severely damaged. Most of the destruction has been in Bundaberg.
Nine police stations have been destroyed.
Twenty-one schools have been destroyed or severely damaged.
Bundaberg has lost 50% of its pier and wharf storage capacity. Maryborough lost 1 pier,
and Hervey Bay’s marina has been destroyed.
Of the three bridges crossing the Burnett River, one has been demolished and the other
is partially destroyed. The Maryborough bridge suffered damage and has reduced
capacity.
Primary roads in Bundaberg, Maryborough and Hervey Bay are strewn with storm debris
and will take several weeks to clear completely. Many secondary roads have been
washed out.
Power transmission capabilities are down 50% in Bundaberg, 20% in Maryborough,
and75% in Hervey Bay due to downed transmission lines. All power generating facilities
have suffered damage.
Some of the municipal water lines have been contaminated in Bundaberg, Maryborough
and Hervey Bay. Raw sewage combined with dead livestock have created health
hazards in both urban and neighboring areas.
While there has been extensive damage to coastal hamlets and towns and areas in the
cyclone’s path, detailed assessments and costs to rebuild have not been compiled.
Preliminary costs of damage, excluding roads, bridges, and port facilities, exceed USD
6.5 million.
See Appendix 3
5.0 Response Actions
Local Response Actions
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
The Government of Azuria has established Special Cabinet Committees to coordinate
relief efforts.
The Food and Shelter Committee chaired by the Ministry of Human Development has
expanded the scope of immediate relief operations to all affected villages with basic
emergency needs of food.
The Foreign Assistance Committee continues to compile information on contributions
which has originated from other countries. UN OCHA has been requested to assist in
this coordination effort. To date, contributions comprise of food, building materials, other
supplies and money.
Several local businesses have been making donations of food, clothing, water and tents.
4
v.
Azurian military and constabulary forces have been assisting in the emergency response
and recovery efforts, but their capabilities are limited due to requirements to provide
security throughout the country and in the border regions in particular.
Regional & International
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is in the process of developing
an aid package for Azuria.
The Government and people of Australia have donated US$ 300,000 towards the
rebuilding of individual homes.
A number of pledges have been made and these can be found in the Summary of
Assistance.
The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team will conduct
a second assessment to the disaster affected districts focusing on communities not yet
assessed.
Current Situation (Overview)
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Sufficient water and sanitation remain major short-term response goals.
There are insufficient tents available to aid in the opening of schools.
Sufficient medication is available based on the threats to respiratory illnesses and rash.
Insufficient communication equipment is available for remote areas.
Needs
The Government of Azuria indicates that there is a need for US $40M in new financing
for housing for those effected by the cyclone. In addition, the following needs have
been identified through local needs assessments:
ITEM
# Persons
Water
17,000 (for 30 days)
Food (general, beans, flour, cornmeal, cooking
oil)
23,000 (for 30 days)
Food for children
6,000 (for 30 days)
Tents
14,000
Generator
50
Plastic Sheeting
30,000
Chain Saws
60
Clothing (all ages, mostly children)
10,000
School Supplies (chairs and desks)
4,500
28
Satellite phone
5
APPENDIX 1
IDP Camps
General
Location
Road
Conditions
Airfields/
Helipads
Security
Shelter
Water
Supply
Sanitation
Diseases
Cp Burnett
Vicinity
Bundaberg
75%
0/1
Poor
Insufficient
Insufficient
Poor
Gastrointestinal
3000
CP Oakwood
Vicinity
Bundaberg
75%
0/1
Poor
Insufficient
Insufficient
Poor
Gastrointestinal
8000
Cp Alloway
Vicinity
Bundaberg
75%
0/1
Poor
Insufficient
Insufficient
Poor
Gastrointestinal
7000
Cp Torbanlea
West of
Hervey Bay
75%
0/1
Good
Insufficient
Insufficient
Poor
Gastrointestinal
Total
IDP's
6000
24,000
APPENDIX 2
Location
Bundaberg
Hervey Bay
Dundowran
Alloway
Elliot Heads
Burnett Head
Moore Park
Yandaran
Mullet Creek.
Rosedale
Berajondo
Lowmead
Population:
In
W/host
camps families
18,000
10,000
6,000
1,500
200
100
150
300
125
400
In open
40,000
6,500
800
1,400
850
1,700
375
600
Total
68,000
14,000
1,000
1,500
1,000
2,000
500
1,000
300
100
150
700
400
350
1,000
500
500
2,000
700
200
100
500
600
100
17,525
6,000
2,300
300
400
1,500
1,400
400
65,975
8,000
3,000
500
500
2,000
2,000
500
107,500
Maryborough
Gayndah
Cracow
Teroom
Fidsvold
Mundubbera
Wandoan
24,000
6
APPENDIX 3
Bundaberg
Pre-cyclone
Government Structures
Admin bldgs/comm ctrs
Medical facilities
Police stations
Schools
Pier and wharf facilities
30 major bldgs
10 bldgs,30%
3 3 facilities,40%
10 5 stations, 25%
20 10 schools, 50%
4 piers,wharf fac
2 piers, 4 wharfs 50 %
Marybourough
Cost USD Pre-cyclone
3
Damage
600000
1350000
700,000
1,000,000
6 bldgs
2
2
8
4 structures,25%
2 facilities, 20%
1 station, 20%
3 schools, 30%
unk
2 piers
1 pier, 75%
Hervey Bay
Cost USD Pre-cyclone
275000
250000
150,000
275000
1
1
1
1
unk
1 marina
damaged; unusable
unk
2
Damage
Cost USD
1 bldg, 50%
partial roof, eqmt
1 station, 60 %
1 school, 75%
destroyed
250000
750000
200000
80000
unk
Gayndah
Pre-cyclone
1
1
1
2
Damage
1 bldg, destroyed
1 facility,destroyed
1 station, 60%
2 schools, 60%
Other
Cost USD Pre-cyclone
150,000
268000
150,000
75000
Total USD
Damage
destroyed
destroyed
severe damage
destroyed
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Terminal destroyed,
runway damaged.
Limited operations by
14 Mar
Terminal destroyed,
runway damaged. Limited
operations by 14 Mar
Airports
Bridges
Damage
1 dest; 1 50% dmged
unk
1
Roads
Main roads-debris only.
Secondary roads-partial
washouts
unk
Main roads-debris only.
Secondary roadspartial washouts
Power
50 % power lines down
unk
20% power lines down
1 destroyed
unk
unk
Main roads-debris
only. Secondary roadspartial washouts
unk
Main road washed out in
several locations
unk
75% power lines down
unk
100% power lines down
7
unk
unk
power lines down
Cost USD
unk
unk
unk
unk
1,275,000
2,618,000
1,200,000
1,430,000