Pre-1970 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons
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The Pre-1970 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] Unnnamed tropical cyclone (1778)
Hit the Banda Islands were hit in April. The cyclone blew the roof off of almost every house and killed 85% of nutmeg trees.[1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1811)
A tropical cyclone hit the Banda Islands.[1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (1841)
A cyclone hit the island of Roti in April, killing 75 and destroying many homes.[1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (Circa 1855)
Around this time, a tropical cyclone hit the Kei Islands, uprooting many trees.[1]
[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. [2]
[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. [3]
[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.[4]
[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. [2]
[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. [4]
[edit] 1889 Apia Cyclone
- Main article: 1889 Apia cyclone
A strong cyclone struck Samoa sinking several ships and caused 147+ Fatalities.
[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. [4]
[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. [4]
[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 near the Kisar Islands (1908)
In April, a tropical cyclone hit the Kisar Islands, killing 150 people.[1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Ninety Mile Beach(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. [2]
[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. [3]
[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. [2]
[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. [4]
[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][4]
[edit] 1918 Mackay cyclone
The 1918 Mackay cyclone struck the city of Mackay, Queensland, Australia on January 21, 1918. It remains one of the most destructive cyclones to strike a populated centre in Australia.
The eye of the storm passed to the north of the city just after sunrise. During the height of the storm, barometric pressure was recorded at 932.6 hPa, one of the lowest recordings in Australia. However, the pressure was probably a lot lower, as the barometer would not go beyond 932.6 hPa, and the eye of the storm did not cross directly over Mackay where the measurement was taken. The meteroligist at the time stated that the barometer was at its maximam low reading for at least 30 minutes before the cyclone moved inland and away, allowing the pressure to finally rise. Few buildings in the centre of Mackay escaped without significant structural damage. The accompanying storm surge resulted in a sea-level-rise of 2.36 metres above the highest spring tide level, with one witness later recalling waves of 2–3 metres breaking in the main street.
Communication links into Mackay were destroyed. The outside world did not learn of the Mackay cyclone until five days after impact, leading to some speculation the city had been completely destroyed.
Record amounts of rainfall were recorded in Mackay, the totals to 9 a.m. are as follows:
- 22nd Jan - 627mm
- 23rd Jan - 438mm
- 24th Jan - 346mm
- Total rainfall for January - 2161mm
The rainfall resulted in the Pioneer River's highest flood level at the time, which took 2 weeks to subside.
Damage wasn't limited to Mackay. In Rockhampton, over 200km south of Mackay, houses lost their roofs and solid jacaranda trees were uprooted. Extensive structural damage was also reported in Yeppoon and Mt Morgan. Rainfall associated with the cyclonic system was responsible for the big Rockhampton Flood of 1918 in February.
A total of thirty people perished in the disaster, including two in Rockhampton and another in Yeppoon.
[edit] 1918 Innisfail Cyclone
The 1918 Innisfail cyclone made landfall in the area around Innisfail, Queensland, Australia on March 10, 1918. It was more severe than the earlier Mackay storm. Only 12 houses survived being unroofed or totally destroyed. Damage was also sustained in Cairns, 100km to the north, and inland to the Atherton Tableland. A 3.6m storm surge was experienced to the south at Mission Beach. 37 people were killed in Innisfail, and an estimated 40 to 60 more in outlying areas. The lowest pressure recorded was 926hPa, but again, damage to recording equipment meant that no accurate minimum for the storm's center survived. Estimates place the figure below 910hPa.[5]
Following this destruction, the area experienced a period of prosperity in the local agricultural industries. This lead to the construction of many buildings in a grand art-deco style.
[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. [6]
[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. [4]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone near Yamdena (1925)
In April, a tropical cyclone destroyed most houses in Yamdena. 10 people were killed on the island of Selaru, along with destruction of plantations, damage to houses, and palm trees being blown over.[1]
[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. [4]
[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. [7]
[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.[4]
[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.[8]
[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. [3]
[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. [4]
[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. [9]
[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. [3]
[edit] Cyclone Alice
Cyclone Alice struck Mauritius Island in February 1960, causing 42 deaths and leaving more than 70,000 homeless. Around 100,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed.
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (April 1960)
A ship called the Straat Jahore encountered a tropical cyclone.[1]
[edit] Unnamed tropical cyclone (December 1960)
A cyclone hit Saumlaki, killing three people and almost completely destroying the settlement. Thousands of palm trees were uprooted and killed.[1]
[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. [3]
[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. [6]
[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. [4]
[edit] 1969-70 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season
[edit] Cyclone Ada (1970)
Tropical Cyclone Ada was a Category 4 cyclone that killed 14 people when it hit Queensland's Whitsunday Island Resorts and the adjacent Whitsunday Coast mainland on January 17, 1970.
Resorts and boats were destroyed or severely damaged at Hayman, Daydream and South Molle Islands, as well as the two resorts – Happy Bay and Palm Bay – on Long Island. About 80% of buildings in the mainland centres of Shute Harbour, Airlie Beach and Cannonvale were severely damaged. Some damage occurred also inland at Proserpine where, following 24-hours of heavy rain that accompanied the storm, the Proserpine River peaked at 11.16 metres: its highest recorded flood. Fourteen people died and property damage was estimated at AU$390 million (1997 values).
Like Tropical Cyclone Tracy that devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974, Ada was small in diameter (estimated width 30 km) and damage from her path was limited to a comparatively small geographical area. The wind from Tropical Cyclone Ada was not felt in Bowen (60 km to the north) or Mackay (120 km to the south). However the heavy rains did cause flooding in the Pioneer River (Mackay) and the Don River (Bowen). Before degenerating into a rainstorm Cyclone Ada travelled further inland to the Cathu State Forest (83 km north-west of Mackay behind the small Bruce Highway township of Calen) and caused extensive damage to the eucalypts, rainforest and pine plantations in that area.
It was as a result of complaints about lack of timely warning about the 1970 cyclone that the Bureau of Meteorology introduced the cyclone warning siren that now accompanies all media broadcasts and telecasts of cyclone warnings in Queensland.
[edit] Other cyclones
As well as cyclone Ada, the following storms occurred in the Australian Region during the 1969/70 tropical cyclone season: [10]
- 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
- 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] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Gary Padgett (2002-04-22). Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary December 2001. Retrieved on 2007-10-21.
- ^ 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 BoM - Tropical Cyclones affecting Onslow
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k BoM - Tropical Cyclones affecting Karratha/Dampier
- ^ Tropical Cyclones in Queensland
- ^ a b Bureau of Meteorology (1992). Climate of Queensland, Commonwealth of Australia ISBN 0-644-24331-7
- ^ BoM - Tropical Cyclones affecting Port Hedland
- ^ Callaghan, J. "Australian Severe Weather: Tropical cyclone impacts along the East Coast 1858-2000". Page 19. [1]
- ^ BoM - Tropical Cyclones affecting Broome
- ^ Bureau of Meteorology (1973) Tropical Cyclones in the Northern Australian Regions 1969-1970 Australian Government Publishing Service
