Tropical Cyclone Tracy

[P.K.]

I can't believe just how small this tropical cyclone was.

To summarise: It was 10 times smaller than Hurricane Charley, yet it still had a central pressure of 950hPa.

Vital Statistics of Cyclone Tracy

Size

Gales extended to about 40 km from centre

Diameter of eye

About 12 km at Darwin

Maximum Wind Gust

217 km/h before anemometer ceased functioning

Central Pressure

950 hectopascals

Storm Surge

1.6 metres measured in harbour, 4 metres estimated at Casuarina Beach

Rainfall

255 mm in 12 hours overnight

Death Toll

65 people

Injuries

145 serious injuries, over 500 with minor injuries

Number of Houses Destroyed

About 70% of houses with serious structural failure

Total Damage Bill

Up to $800 million (1974 $s)

:lol:

http://www.ntlib.nt.gov.au/tracy

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=54257

An incredible amount of damage was caused by this http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=cyclon...G=Google+Search

[Weather-history]

I was only 2 at the time, but my parents remember this storm well. We had just moved to Perth in West Australia and they were thinking of moving to Darwin. Thankfully they didn't go. This was a brute of a storm and caused terrible loss of life and damage. A huge relief operation was launched and there was an appeal for funds to help the people of Darwin of which many Austalians gave generously.

[P.K.]

Am I right in thinking everyone had to leave Darwin until it was rebuilt? That is what I remember from the tv programme I saw on this the other day anyway.

[Weather-history]

I believe so.