Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that destroyed the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974. It is the most compact tropical cyclone on record in Australia, with the gale force winds reaching out only 48 km (30 mi) from the centre. It is the second most compact cyclone in the world. Tropical Storm Marco of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season had gale-force winds reaching only 19 km (12 mi) from the centre.[1][2] After forming over the Arafura Sea, the Tracy moved south and hit the city with Category 4 winds on the Australian cyclone scale. It is possible that it had reached Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale when it made landfall.[3]
Tracy killed 71 people, caused $837 million in damage (1974 AUD) and destroyed more than 70% of Darwin's buildings, including 80% of the houses.[4] Of the 49,000 people who lived in Darwin, 20,000 people were left homeless. More than 30,000 people had to leave the city.[5] Most of Darwin's population were moved to Adelaide, Whyalla, Alice Springs and Sydney. Many people never returned to Darwin. The city was rebuilt using modern materials and updated building methods. Bruce Stannard of The Age stated that Cyclone Tracy was a "disaster ... without parallel in Australia's history."
Cyclone Tracy Media
The relative sizes of the United States, Cyclone Tracy and Typhoon Tip, the second smallest and largest tropical storms ever recorded, respectively
Houses after the destruction caused by Tracy
HMAS Arrow beached in Francis Bay March 1975
The base of a steel electricity pole bent by Tracy
Memorial at Casuarina High School assembled from three house girders twisted by Cyclone Tracy
References
- ↑ "FAQ : HURRICANES, TYPHOONS, AND TROPICAL CYCLONES". Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
- ↑ "Tropical Cyclone Structure". JetStream. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2005-10-19. Archived from the original on 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2006-03-24.
- ↑ "International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (HURDAT format)". National Climatic Data Center. Retrieved 29 December 2008.
- ↑ "Bureau of Meteorology - Frequently Asked Questions". Bureau of Meteorology. 2006. Archived from the original on 2012-08-30. Retrieved 2006-03-24.
- ↑ EMA Disasters Database - Tropical Cyclone Tracey. Emergency Management Australia. 2005-05-29. http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/9d804be3fb07ff5cca256d1100189e22/a70de9a08d7c7fc3ca256d3300057bb5?OpenDocument. Retrieved 2006-07-07.