Pre-1980 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons
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The Pre-1980 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons ran year-round from July 1 to June 30, reaching their peaks mid-February to early March.
[edit] Pre-1970 storms
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1875)
On 24 December 1875, a total of 59 lives were lost at sea when the eye of a cyclone passed over Exmouth Gulf. Several schooners were driven ashore and wrecked. [1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1880)
On 9 January 1880 a cyclone passed near Yammadery Creek, between Onslow, Western Australia and Fortescue River, where the tidal surge was eight metres over the high-water mark. The Adalia was wrecked near Robe River and some of the crew drowned. [2]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1882)
On 7 March 1882 a severe cyclone passed Roebourne and Cossack in the evening causing damage to every building in the settlements. Cossack recorded a minimum pressure of 942 hPa. Despite the extensive loss of sheep from surrounding stations it was considered fortunate that only one person suffered an injury.[3]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1887)
On 22 April 1887, a cyclone struck the pearling fleet at Ninety Mile Beach near Broome claiming 140 lives. The storm was unexpected, being so late in the season. [1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1889)
On 1 March 1889 flooding was considerable at Cossack where a cyclone coincided with high tide. All crew aboard the Waratah were lost off Cape Preston and one man drowned in the river at Roebourne. [3]
[edit] 1889 Apia Cyclone
- Main article: 1889 Apia cyclone
A strong cyclone struck Samoa sinking several ships and caused 147+ Fatalites.
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclones (1894)
On 4 January 1894 and 9 January 1894 - Within the space of five days two cyclones crossed the Pilbara coast. The first caused damage to many buildings at Roebourne and Cossack. The second cyclone caused more significant damage to the area completely washing away the previously damaged sea wall at Cossack. Over forty lives were believed to have been lost as twelve luggers and the steamer Anne were destroyed. Altogether the damage was estimated at 15000 pounds and the loss of some 15000 sheep. Flooding was also substantial. [3]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1898)
On 2 April 1898 a cyclone was described as causing more damage at Cossack than had ever been experienced before. Tramway, rails, road and bridges were destroyed and telegraph line downed. Houses collapsed and all boats slipped their moorings. The damage was estimated at over 30000 pounds. Whim Creek registered 747 mm of rain in 24 hours, the highest daily rainfall ever recorded in Western Australia. [3]
[edit] Cyclone Mahina (1899)
- Main article: Cyclone Mahina
Upon making landfall in Queensland, Australia on March 4, 1899, Cyclone Mahina produced a 40 foot storm surge, the highest ever recorded. The flooding killed 400-410 people, making it the deadliest cyclone in Australian history.
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1908)
On 27 April 1908, the pearling fleet (again) at Ninety Mile Beach experienced the full force of a storm. The loss of life exceeded 50 persons. [1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1909)
Following a cyclone at Onslow, Western Australia in January 1909 a second storm hit the town on 5 to 6 April 1909 causing damage to most boats and some buildings. Four luggers with all 24 of their crew were lost. [2]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1910)
On 19 November 1910 the eye of a cyclone passed directly over Broome, where there was much damage. Twenty six boats of the pearling fleet were sunk and 40 lives were lost. [1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1911)
The cyclone came ashore between Cape Upstart and Cape Bowling Green. The ship 'Yongala' was completely destroyed, with the loss of all 120 people on board.[2]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1911)
On 4 January 1911 a cyclone affected the Pilbara coast between Cossack and Onslow. The Glenbank was wrecked off Legendre Island with the loss of all but one of its crew. The cyclone crossed near Mardie station where nearly every outbuilding was levelled to the ground and 6000 gallon tanks were blown away. [3]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Port Hedland (1912)
This cyclone crossed the coast just west of Balla Balla near Port Hedland and claimed well over 150 lives. It is almost certainly Australia's worst weather-related maritime disaster since Federation with the loss of the coastal steamer Koombana.[3][3]
[edit] 1918 Mackay cyclone
- Main article: 1918 Mackay cyclone
The 1918 Mackay cyclone made landfall in the city of Mackay, Queensland in Australia on January 21, 1918. The storm caused extensive damage and 30 deaths.
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1923)
This cyclone developed on 21 March 1923 east of Cape York and then devastated the normally cyclone free Torres Strait Islands. It then moved over the Gulf of Carpentaria where 20 lives were lost after the Douglas Mawson sank. The cyclone decayed around 2 April. [4]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Roebourne (1925)
After this cyclone on 21 January 1925 near Roebourne, Western Australia only a very small portion of the land end of the Point Samson jetty was left intact. Almost 5 km of the tramline was washed away and the Pope's Nose Creek bridge was badly damaged. At Cossack the sea in the creek rose 7.2 m, covering the road and surrounding country for about a mile (1.6 km). Seven luggers and a schooner which had sheltered in Cossack Creek were lifted 100 m into the mangroves by the storm surge. Not a building was left unscathed in Roebourne. Residents sheltered in more substantial stone buildings as the timber houses were razed. The Jubilee Hotel was unroofed and the other two hotels badly damaged. [3]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Cairns (1934)
On March 12, 1934, a powerful cyclone crossed the coast of Far North Queensland at Cape Tribulation. A pearling fleet was decimated by the system, resulting in the loss of 75 lives. The towns of Daintree and Mossman suffered extensive damage, with damage to vegetation reported in Cairns.[4]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Broome (1935)
This is Australia's second deadliest cyclone in 20th century. The Lacepede Islands near Broome were struck sinking 21 pearling luggers with 141 lives lost.[5]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Roebourne (1939)
Nine people died on 11 January 1939 with the loss of the Nicol Bay, on a holiday cruise to the Ashburton River. Some properties in Roebourne, Western Australia sustained damage. [3]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Port Hedland (1942)
On 24 March 1942 a storm hit Port Hedland causing a pile driver to be blown off the jetty and nine pearling luggers blown out to sea. One was wrecked with the loss of two lives. All houses suffered some degree of damage, and the Pier and the Esplanade Hotels were again badly damaged. Fortunately the tide was low at the time so there was little foreshore damage. The maximum gust was estimated to be 230 km/h. [5]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Roebourne (1945)
On 6 March 1945 there was severe damage was done to Roebourne and Point Samson. The Harding River broke its banks and flooded back yards. The maximum gust was 117km/h.[3]
[edit] 1949 Central Queensland cyclone
On 2 March a cyclone passed over Gladstone and Rockhampton. Fifteen towns suffered extensive damage from the storm - in Rockhampton, 1000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Seven people died, including a young child killed by a falling gum tree in Bundaberg. During the height of the cyclone, Rockhampton recorded barometric pressure of 960 hPa and a maximum wind gust of 160km/h. 635mm of rain fell in a 24 hour period at Yeppoon.[6]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Onslow (1953)
On 22 March 1953 a cyclone made landfall west of Onslow. Buildings were unroofed and the jetty was destroyed. The damage was estimated at 50,000 pounds. The estimated maximum gust in Onslow was 184 km/h. [2]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Roebourne (1954)
On 31 December 1954 every building was damaged in Roebourne, Western Australia. The Point Samson jetty was wrecked and a locomotive shed and workshop demolished. Damage was conservatively estimated at 50,000 pounds. The eye passed over Lewis Island driving ashore the Dulverton then moved over Roebourne from 3:20 to 4:30 pm. Damage was extensive at Coolwanyah and Pyramid stations. [3]
[edit] Gold Coast cyclone (1954)
Gold Coast cyclone passed within 100 km of Brisbane and then towards Sydney. Gales whipped up large waves on the swollen Richmond River and 26 people died.[6]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1956)
This cyclone affected the Australian mainland for 17 days, traversing virtually the whole Western australian coastline. It passed directly over Perth, causing damage to buildings in and around the Western Australian capital.[7]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Broome (1957)
On 14 February 1957, the eye of this cyclone passed directly over Broome between 6:30 and 7:00 am and gale force winds were experienced from 11 pm on the 13th to 5 pm on the 15th. Two people were killed and four injured by a collapsing house. Many buildings were wrecked and damage was estimated at 80,000 pounds. [7]
[edit] Two tropical cyclones in Onslow (1958)
In March 1958, two cyclones crossed near Onslow within two weeks. On 4 March 1958 wind gusts to 172 km/h unroofed some houses and communications were cut during the first cyclone, but overall damage was not considered serious. The second cyclone on 15 March 1958 caused extensive damage. Half the Onslow jetty was washed away and the storm surge broke through the foreshore wall flooding the town. Onslow recorded a gust of 202 km/h and 283 mm of rain. [2]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Onslow (1963)
On 7 February 1963 a severe cyclone with gusts recorded to 231 km/h made landfall at Onslow damaging all but six buildings in the town. Telephone poles were bent parallel to the ground. Even the weather instrument enclosure was destroyed. Heavy rain also caused flooding in the area, the town recording 356 mm of rain. [2]
[edit] Cyclone Audrey (1964)
This occurred from 7 January to 14 January 1964 causing damage over the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria, followed by heavy rains and wind damage over large areas of southern Queensland. [4]
[edit] Cyclone Shirley (1966)
On 2 April 1966 Shirley passed crossed the coast at King Bay where a ship recorded winds to 204 km/h. In Roebourne, Western Australia, winds destroyed some buildings. Sherlock station recorded 404 mm and subsequent floodwaters damaged the Mount Goldsworthy and Hamersley iron-ore railways under construction, roads and other facilities along the Pilbara coast. However, considering the intensity, the cyclone caused only minor damage. [3]
[edit] 1969-70 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Ada (1970)
- Main article: Cyclone Ada
Cyclone Ada hit Queensland on January 17, 1970, causing torrential rainfall and surge and killing 14 people.
[edit] Other cyclones
As well as cyclone Ada, the following storms occurred in the Australian Region during the 1969/70 tropical cyclone season: [8]
- Cindy, 11 to 22 March 1970 in Gulf of Carpentaria
- Dawn, 10 to 19 February 1970 in Coral Sea with heavy rain
- Florence, 10 to 12 February 1970 a weak cyclone in the Coral Sea and merged with Dolly
- Dolly, February 1970 also in the Coral Sea
- Cindy, 11 to 22 March 1970 off Queensland
- Isa, 13 to 18 April 1970 in Solomon Islands area with no major damage
- Blossom, 8 to 9 November 1969 very weak to northwest of Cocos Island
- Diane, 2 to 15 January 1970 in central Indian Ocean
- Glynis, 27 January to 7 February 1970 crossed coast near Mandurah, Western Australia but no major damage
- Harriet/Iseult, 30 January to 4 February 1970 in central to western Indian Ocean
- Ingrid, 9 to 17 February 1970 crossed coast near Carnarvon, Western Australia causing severe agricultural damage.
- Judy, 9 to 24 February 1970 in central Indian Ocean
- Kathy, 19 to 28 March 1970 in central Indian Ocean
- Lulu, 4 to 9 May caused flooding around the Pilbara region of Western Australia
[edit] 1970-71 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
The following storms occurred in the Australian Region during the 1970/71 tropical cyclone season: [9]
- Beverley, 26 November to 1 December 1970 in Arafura Sea. The decayed storm developed into Eva (below)
- Rosie, weak cyclone late December 1970 near New Caledonia
- Sophie, weak cyclone late December 1970 near New Caledonia
- Aggie, 1 to 4 February 1971 in Gulf of Carpentaria and Arnhem Land
- Dora, 10 to 18 February 1971 off Queensland
- Gertie, 11 to 16 February 1971 crossed near Townsville, Queensland and developed into Fiona (below)
- Ida, 15 to 22 February 1971 in Coral Sea
- Fiona, 17 to 28 February developed from remains of Gertie in Gulf of Carpentaria
- Lena, 13 to 20 March 1971 near New Caledonia
- Andrea, 31 October to 11 November 1970 in central Indian Ocean
- Carmen, 20 to 26 November 1970 in central Indian Ocean
- Eva, 1 to 12 December 1970 caused flooding over the Kimberley region of Western Australia
- Hilary, 11 to 18 December 1970 in central Indian Ocean
- Janet, 19 to 25 December 1970 in central Indian Ocean
- Loris, 26 to 31 December 1970 crossed the Pilbara coast near Mandora with no serious damage.
- Myrtle/Ginette, 15 to 19 January 1971 near Cocos Island and moved west
- Polly, 20 to 29 January 1971 in central Indian Ocean
- Rita, 23 to 30 January 1971 passed over Exmouth, Western Australia with flood damage only.
- Sheila-Sophie, 29 January to 6 February 1971 crossed coast near Roebourne, Western Australia with some damage
- Tilly, 10 to 14 February 1971 in central Indian Ocean
- Yvonne, 9 to 24 February 1971 near Cocos Island and moved west
- Kalinka, February 1971 in central Indian Ocean near Mauritius
- Maggie/Muriel, 7 to 20 March 1971 in central Indian Ocean
- Mavis, 23 to 29 March 1971 crossed coast near Denham, Western Australia causing flooding
[edit] 1971-72 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Althea (1971)
- Main article: Cyclone Althea
135 mph Cyclone Althea struck northeastern Australia on December 24, 1971, killing three people and causing moderate damage.
[edit] Other cyclones
As well as Althea, the following storms occurred in the Australian Region during the 1971/72 tropical cyclone season: [10]
- Ursula, 2 to 16 December 1971 in Solomon Islands area
- Kitty, 2 to 5 December 1971 in the Arafura Sea
- Bronwyn, 3 to 12 January 1972 in Gulf of Carpentaria
- Carlotta, 5 to 21 January 1972 well off Queensland
- Wendy, 30 January to 9 February 1972 very intense off Queensland, possible pressure as low as 890hPa
- Daisy, 7 to 14 February 1972 off Queensland, caused some flooding near Brisbane
- Emily, 27 March to 4 April 1972 off Queensland, eight lives lost at sea
- Faith, 11 to 23 April 1972 in Torres Strait and Coral Sea off Queensland
- Gail, 11 to 18 April 1972 well off Queensland
- Hannah, 8 to 11 May near Papua New Guinea
- Ida, 30 May to 3 June 1972 near Solomon Islands causing $70 million damage.
- Rhoda, 20 to 26 October 1971 in central Indian Ocean
- Sally, 3 to 13 December 1971 crossed coast near Broome, Western Australia.
- Tessie, 20 to 27 February 1972 in central Indian Ocean
- Vicky, 24 February to 4 March 1972 crossed Western Australian coast at Cockatoo Island.
- Angela, 29 February to 3 March 1972 near Cocos Island and Christmas Island
- Belinda, 20 to 30 March 1972 near Christmas Island
- Carol, 6 to 14 April 1972 in central Indian Ocean
[edit] 1972-73 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Bebe
Tropical cyclone Bebe was a very early-season storm that occurred from 19 to 25 October 1972 near Fiji. [10]
[edit] Cyclone Kerry
At Wickham on 21 January 1973 more than 30 houses were partly unroofed and some houses received major damage. There was no damage to buildings in Dampier, Roebourne or Karratha as the cyclone crossed the coast well to the east. Kerry passed close to a number of oil-drilling rigs causing damage and lost productivity time that cost over one million dollars. Maximum recorded gust was 140km/h at Cape Lambert. [3]
[edit] 1973-74 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Wanda (1974)
- Main article: Cyclone Wanda
This cyclone existed from 24 January to 27 January 1974 and led to extensive flooding over southeast Queensland. 15 lives were lost, and extensive damage occurred in the Brisbane metropolitan area. [4]
[edit] 1974-75 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Tracy (1974)
- Main article: Cyclone Tracy
135 mph Cyclone Tracy hit the city of Darwin, Australia on the night of December 24, 1974, causing 71 deaths and extreme damage.
[edit] Cyclone Trixie (1975)
Wind gusts of 259 km/h at Mardie and 246 km/h at Onslow, Western Australia were measured during cyclone Trixie in 19 February 1975. The Onslow anemometer was destroyed after measuring the gust of 246 km/h during this storm. The gust at Mardie is the second highest recorded on the Australian mainland. [2]
[edit] Cyclone Beverley
Tropical cyclone Beverley affected Exmouth, Western Australia and the west coast in March 1975.
[edit] Cyclone Vida
On 20 March 1975 winds were recorded to 128 km/h at Fremantle and 109 km/h in Perth, Western Australia. There was some damage including St George's Cathedral and Perry Lakes Stadium. At Rockingham a 7 m yacht sank, a 6m cabin cruiser was destroyed and many other craft were damaged. [11]
[edit] 1975-76 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Joan (1975)
On the morning of 30 November 1975 satellite imagery showed a large cloud mass in the Timor Sea. The satellite photograph received on the morning of 1 December showed that significant organization had occurred in the cloud mass during the previous 24 hours. It was deemed at 0115 UTC that the system be named the developing cyclone Joan, located about 310 km west-northwest of Darwin. Joan's movement in the following 48 hours was towards the southwest at an average 5 km/h. The first evidence of the increasing strength of Joan came as the cyclone moved west-southwest past the northernmost areas of Western Australia on 3 December. The cyclone's generally west-southwesterly track after 2 December took it away from the coast until 0900 6 December when it was about 420 km north of Port Hedland and the system turned southward. At about 2200 UTC 7 December 1975 the eye of tropical cyclone Joan crossed the coast about 50 km west of Port Hedland. The cyclone was travelling south-southwest at about 14 km/h and crossed over or adjacent to the homesteads on the pastoral properties Mundabullangana, Mallina, Coolawanyah, Hamersley, and Mount Brockman. As cyclone Joan crossed the coastal plain and the Chichester Range only a slow moderation of its intensity seems to have occurred, but as the cyclone crossed the Hamersley Range the available evidence suggests that a rapid weakening took place.
Tropical cyclone Joan was the most destructive cyclone to affect the Port Hedland area in more than 30 years. The city was subjected to sustained winds exceeding 90 km/h for about 10 hours with winds in excess of 120 km/h for three hours. The maximum measured wind gust of 208 km/h on 8 December 1975 is the fourth highest on record in Australia. Severe property damage occurred at Port Hedland and at other settlements close to the cyclone's path. Subsequent flooding damaged roads and sections of the iron ore railways, particularly that of Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd. Sheep losses were heavy but, remarkably, no loss of human life or serious injury was reported. The estimated damage to private property and public facilities is believed to have exceeded $25 million. [12]
[edit] 1976-77 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Ted
Ted made landfall in Queensland on January 1, 1976. The storm killed 2 people and left $49 million dollars in damage.[8]
[edit] Cyclone Otto
Otto made landfall near Bowen, Queensland in March,1977. The storm caused minimal wind damage but caused extensive beach erosion.[9]
[edit] Cyclone Leo
Leo affected Port Hedland around March 1977.
[edit] 1977-78 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Alby
- Main article: Cyclone Alby
Cyclone Alby was a severe Category 4 cyclone that struck Australia, killing 5 people and leaving $39 million dollars in damage.
[edit] 1978-79 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Peter
Peter caused extensive damage in the Gulf of Carpentaria between January 1 and January 2, 1979.[10] Peter hovered offshore, causing a 24 hour rainfall of 1140mm/44.88" at Mt. Bellenden Ker on January 5th [13].
[edit] Cyclone Kerry
Tropical Cyclone Kerry has the distinction of being the longest lived cyclone in the Australian region. It formed on 13 February 1979 and caused severe damage in the Solomon Islands. It then tracked across the Coral Sea making landfall near Mackay, Queensland on 1 March and dissipated on 6 March. Its lowest pressure was 955hPa. [4]
[edit] Cyclone Hazel
Hazel grazed the Western Australia coast on March 1, 1979. Fifteen crewmen drowned when their fishing boat sank during the storm.[11]
[edit] 1979-80 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Amy
Cyclone Amy stuck Western Australia as a category 5 cyclone on January 10, 1980. Amy left $2.7 million dollars ($12 million 2005 AUD)in damage.[12] and injured 5 people.
[edit] Cyclone Dean
Dean stuck Western Australia a month after Cyclone Amy. Dean left $11 million (2005 AUD) in damage. It lasted from 26 January to 4 February 1980.[13]
[edit] Cyclone Enid
Enid lasted from 12 to 18 February 1980 and made landfall between Port Hedland and Broome, Western Australia (near Shay Gap) and caused flooding.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Bureau of Meteorology (1998). Tropical Cyclones (A Guide for Mariners in Northwest Australia), Pamphlet, Commonwealth of Australia
- ^ a b c d e f http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/cyclone/about/onslow/
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/cyclone/about/roebourne/
- ^ a b c d Bureau of Meteorology (1992). Climate of Queensland, Commonwealth of Australia ISBN 0-644-24331-7
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/cyclone/about/pthed/index.shtml
- ^ Callaghan, J. "Australian Severe Weather: Tropical cyclone impacts along the East Coast 1858-2000". Page 19. [1]
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/cyclone/about/broome/index.shtml
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology (1973) Tropical Cyclones in the Northern Australian Regions 1969-1970 Australian Government Publishing Service
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology (1973) Tropical Cyclones in the Northern Australian Regions 1970-1971 Australian Government Publishing Service
- ^ a b Bureau of Meteorology (1975) Tropical Cyclones in the Northern Australian Regions 1971-1972 Australian Government Publishing Service
- ^ http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa/cyclone/about/perth/index.shtml
- ^ http://users.qldnet.com.au/~carls/bom1975/tcjoan.html
- ^ http://www.cassowaryconservation.asn.au/Resource/WeatherRainfallCyclones.htm
