One of the most comprehensive websites on Cyclone Tracy is the Northern Territory Library. See the related weblink below.
Cyclone Tracy is the only cyclone to have directly hit and damaged Darwin, to date. Many cyclones circulate in the waters east and west of Darwin each year. Only four have caused significant damage in and around Darwin, and these occurred in 1897 (when the city was still known as Palmerston); 1917; 1937; and 1974.
It is impossible to know how many pets died and how much wildlife was killed during Cyclone Tracy. Some estimates suggest that as many as 20,000 livestock animals died.
When Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin Harbour, there were many fishing vessels which were damaged, with loss of life. Some 16 people who were aboard the vessels at sea disappeared; their bodies were never found.
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The city was literally flattened. Debris lay spread everywhere, powerlines were down and most of the houses and business buildings were reduced to nothing but rubble. For some pictures of Darwin before and after Cyclone Tracy, see the link below.
Cyclone Tracy (Darwin 1974)Cyclone Larry (Innisfail: 2006)Cyclone Mahina (Bathurst Bay: 1899)Cyclone Fran (Bundaberg: 1993)Cyclone Wanda (dumped hundreds of mm of rain upstream in the Brisbane River, leading to the 1974 Brisbane floods)Arguably, the most famous cyclone was Cyclone Tracy. It devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve in 1974, "officially" killed 65 people (16 at sea) and injured 650. Nearly 70% of homes were destroyed. Some 35000 people had to be evacuated. The damage bill was $800 million dollars.
Not everyone took steps to protect themselves from Cyclone Tracy. Whilst some people prepared for the cyclone, many ignored what they thought would be another false alarm. Those who heeded the warnings took basic precautions such as tying down loose objects that could become flying missiles, boarding up windows, and taking shelter in the strongest room of their house. Some people even left town before it hit.
No: the concept of "lockdown" is more recent. Some looting occurred until things settled down, but it was actually stamped out quite quickly, because of the quick action of the Army. The introduction of a general lockdown procedure was one of the many standard procedures implemented in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy. These days, communities at threat of imminent cyclones are placed in lockdown.
Tracy was not a particularly big cyclone, but its effect was extremely devastating because it hit Darwin directly. 65 people were killed, and 9,000 homes destroyed, out of a city of 43,500 people living in 12,000 residences. Cyclone Tracy was not expected to hit: it did so after appearing to be heading past, meaning that many were caught unawares. Also, the fact that it was Christmas Eve caused many people to be in a state of denial. In terms of power, Cyclone Tracy was a category 4 storm whilst still out at sea, but there is some evidence to suggest that it had reached category 5 status when it made landfall. There was no way to accurately measure its strength at landfall, as it completely blew away the weather instrumentation at Darwin airport. Gale force winds extended from the center for 40km. When it passed over Darwin, the diameter of the eye was 12km.
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Cyclone Tracy was a category 4 storm whilst still out at sea, but there is some evidence to suggest that it had reached category 5 status when it made landfall. The wind gauge at Darwin Airport officially recorded winds of 217 kilometres per hour before being blown away itself. Unofficial estimates suggest that the wind speed actually reached 300 kilometres per hour.