answersLogoWhite

0

Cyclone Tracy

Category 4 Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin, Australia over the Christmas holiday in 1974. The storm killed 71 people, and caused $837 million in damages.

203 Questions

What happened when cyclone Tracy happened?

Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974.The cyclone killed 71 people.

How much people were injured in cyclone Tracy?

Cyclone Tracy, which struck Darwin, Australia, in December 1974, resulted in approximately 500 injuries. The cyclone caused widespread destruction, with 70% of the city's buildings damaged or destroyed. While the number of fatalities was recorded at 71, the injuries varied in severity, with many requiring medical attention due to the extensive impact of the disaster.

How much rain fell in Cyclone Tracy in Darwin?

When Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin on Christmas Day 1974, 255mm of rain was dumped on the city within a twelve hour period.

What could be done to ensure Cyclone Tracy doesn't occur again?

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.

How did 71 people die in cyclone Tracy?

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.

Did cyclone Tracy hit Darwin?

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

What year did Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin?

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.

How long ago was cyclone Tracy?

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

How many people were believed to have died in Cyclone Tracy?

Originally the death toll from Cyclone Tracy was put at 65. 49 of these deaths occurred on land and 16 were at sea. In 2005 a coroner fixed the official figure at 71. However, the reality was different.

Those who were there at the time believe more were killed, but the coroner had to rely on available data. Darwin was made up of many intransient people at the time, and some of these could well have disappeared without anyone knowing whether they were killed, or had moved on for Christmas.

Sources indicate that only those who died and could actually be identified were included in the death toll. None of those who died among the indigenous communities were included in the final figures. Those with local knowledge reported that entire Aboriginal settlements were wiped out, but these deaths were not recorded. The tin huts of the Bagot community, for example, were completely decimated, and the people disappeared. No record remains of what happened to them.

There are suggestions that more people died from disease in the aftermath, but as so many were evacuated and the cleanup activity was quick, this would not have occurred among the people of Darwin itself, but again, amongst the indigenous communities.

One of the main problems was that a disaster on this scale had not been previously experienced by Darwin. The emergency response and management was as good as it could be, given that the Northern Territory government relied on Federal assistance and was unable to make major decisions on its own. Cyclone Tracy very much highlighted the need for improved disaster management processes, and that included accounting for deaths.

Ultimately, there is no accurate record of how many died, and one must rely on the coroner's report.

For some firsthand accounts from witnesses who were there, see the related link below.

How could Cyclone Tracy have been prevented?

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

When did Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin?

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.

Short term affects of Cyclone Tracy?

  • 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

What time did Cyclone Tracy leave Darwin?

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.

What Health precautions were taken in order to care for the victims and refugees in cyclone Tracy?

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.

Was Cyclone Tracy a tropical cyclone?

Yes, Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone.

How many people were left homeless after 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.

What is the percentage of buildings detroyed in Cyclone Tracy?

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.

How did cyclone Tracy impact the hydrosphere?

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.

How did cyclone Tracy impact on saltwater crocodiles?

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.

Who donated clothes and food to community after Cyclone Tracy?

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.