Cyclone Tracy

Nothing can be done to stop the development of a cyclone. Cyclone Tracy intensified from a storm that developed out in the Arafura Sea. Cyclones can only form if certain conditions are present: e.g. the surface temperature of the ocean needs to be 26.5°C or higher, and there must be a tropical low present. The low air pressure system then begins to pull in clouds and rotate. Man has not yet found a way to control this phenomenon.

However, much has been done to minimise the potential effect on the city of Darwin, or any other Australian cities. Buildings are now built to higher standards which can better withstand cyclonic forces, for example. Even though weather warning systems were adequate for Cyclone Tracy, there are more effective ways to get the message out now. the media plays a big part in issuing warnings, safety advice and evacuation advice. All of these measures can minimise the effect of cyclones on populated centres.

Cyclone Tracy was a category 5 cyclone which devastated the city of Darwin in 1974. Its winds were incredibly strong - the wind gauge at Darwin Airport recorded winds up to 217 kph before the equipment was blown away. Unofficial estimates are that the wind speed reached around 300 kilometres per hour - a phenomenal speed.

Many buildings were not built to withstand such cyclonic forces, and many deaths occurred when buildings or parts of buildings fell on them. Another 16 people were killed because they were aboard a number of vessels at sea when the cyclone struck.

Cyclone Tracy was officially pronounced a tropical cyclone at around 10 p.m. on 21 December, when it was around 200 kilometers to the north-northeast of Cape Don. On the 24 of December 1974 it hit Darwin.

Yes. Cyclone Tracy directly hit Darwin, wiping out about three-quarters of the town.

It hit Darwin on Christmas Day 1974. As of now, March 2014, it is just over 39 years since cyclone Tracy hit.

It couldn't. Cyclones are a natural weather phenomenon which cannot be prevented or controlled.

Cyclone Tracy moved in late on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1974. The eye passed directly over Darwin just after midnight on December 25, and the cyclone had passed completely by around 7:00am the next morning.

• Litter in the ocean, destroying animals' habitats
• Water supplies were down because the water was contaminated and there were no clean supplies
• Flooding
• Metal, glass and other junk were thrown all over town
• Gardens were pulled out of the ground
• Sewerage lines were cut, resulting in lack of sanitation, and poisons therefore leached out into the environment
• Food chain was broken

Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin just after midnight on Christmas Day in 1974 and lasted until about 7:00 am.

The eye itself took about 35 minutes to pass.

The Northern Territory police were well prepared for Cyclone Tracy and had already made emergency preparations at Darwin and Casuarina police stations. As soon as the first damage reports came in, the police were seeing to road blockages, attending medical emergencies and directing people away from fallen power lines. 150 people were taken to shelter at the police station in this first wave of damage, but they then needed to organise the use of school for shelter, because so many people had lost their homes. When many more ended up sheltering at the schools, police organised other people to help with cooking, medical help, logistics of hygiene, collecting clothing and bedding donations, etc.

The Government organised for Major-General Stretton, Director of the newly formed National Disasters Organisation, to organise evacuations. A team of surgeons and nurses sent from interstate arrived with him. The local police and volunteers were still important during this, and the army also came to assist. There were unpleasant tasks such as searching for bodies, cleaning out refrigerators which were filled with (by now) rotting food, and having to shoot packs of starving dogs that posed a threat to the survivors. The Army and Navy were brought in to deal with these sometimes dangerous cleanup tasks.

From 25 December, the Federal Department of Housing and Construction (in Melbourne) organised officers to begin clearing debris and restore power and communications. Electrical contractor crews cleared fallen power lines organised portable generators wherever available. The officers also worked to repair and restore water pumps and pipelines to get water and sewerage systems working again. Where houses were still intact, tarpaulins were placed over damaged roofs.

Beginning from 27 December, hundreds more police were organised from interstate to help out. Emergency supplies and equipment were brought to Darwin from other cities. Equipment included generators and emergency accommodation. The RAAF (Royal Australia Air Force) transport fleet helped bring in supplies to Darwin, and evacuate over 9,500 people to southern centres.

A medical team also arrived with Major-General Stretton. Meanwhile, the Federal Department of Housing and Construction (in Melbourne) organised officers to begin clearing debris and restore power and communications. Electrical contractor crews cleared fallen power lines organised portable generators wherever available. The officers also worked to repair and restore water pumps and pipelines to get water and sewerage systems working again.

Yes, Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone.

Cyclone Selma came before Cyclone Tracy.

Three quarters of the population of Darwin were left homeless. 9,000 homes were destroyed, out of a city which had 12,000 residences. Prior to the cyclone, Darwin had around 43,500 people, but after Tracy hit, approximately 30,000 were homeless.

Cyclone Tracydestroyed 9,000 homes out of a city of 12,000 residences. Whilst this figure does not relfect business, commercial and industrial buildings, it is fairly reflective of the fact that about 75% of the buildings were destroyed.

Cyclone Tracy caused significant storm surge and heavy rainfall, leading to widespread flooding in coastal areas. The storm also disrupted marine ecosystems through wave action, erosion, and inundation of coastal habitats. The influx of freshwater from heavy rainfall can impact the salinity levels of coastal waters, affecting marine life.

Although Cyclone Tracy had strong and destructive winds, it brought surprisingly little rain with it. Therefore, there was no impact from flooding or upsetting of the crocodiles' habitat with fresh water. The impact on the saltwater crocodiles was negligible.

The Australian community, that is, the general republic, responded generously with food and clothing. These items were transported by the defence forces to be distributed to needy people quickly after the cyclone hit. However, it should be remembered that most of Darwin's population was evacuated to southern cities after the cyclone, with many people staying with relatives. Some of the food and other items had to be diverted to these other centres. A large number of these people never returned to Darwin.

Cyclone Wanda was responsible for the 1974 floods in Brisbane and Ipswich. Cyclone Tracy, which hit Darwin at the end of the year, brought very little rain.

Cyclone Tracy, in 1974, did not destroy any crops. When the cyclone made landfall, the eye of the cyclone centred over Darwin, so the worst damage was the devastation of houses and other buildings. The area around Darwin was affected to a much more limited sense, and Tracy did not bring heavy rains often associated with cyclones.

It cost 800 Million Dollars to rebuild Darwin

death, displacemnt, not enough workmen to rebuild, not enough electricity (powerout), diease and no fresh water

(death of animals and living organisms aswell)

During Cyclone Tracy in December 1974, people in Darwin, Australia, sought shelter by moving to storm shelters or designated evacuation centers. Many reinforced their homes with sandbags and plywood, while others huddled in internal rooms or hallways away from windows. The cyclone caused significant destruction, prompting residents to rely on community support and emergency services for safety and assistance during and after the storm.

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.