Cyclone Yasi
Encyclopedia
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi ˈjɑːsiː was a tropical cyclone
that made landfall in northern Queensland
, Australia
in the early hours of Thursday, 3 February 2011. Yasi originated from a tropical low near Fiji
. The system intensified to a Category 3 cyclone
at about 5pm AEST
(07:00 UTC
) on 31 January 2011. Late on 1 February the cyclone strengthened to a Category 4 system, then early on 2 February, the cyclone intensified to a Category 5 system.
According to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 21, at 9pm AEST (11:00 UTC) the system was centred near 17°24′00"S 147°06′00"E, "110 kilometres east of Innisfail
and moving west southwest at 25 kilometres per hour," with a central pressure of 930 hectopascals. The system had a well-defined eye
and a dvorak intensity of T6.5.
According to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 24 at 11:54pm AEST (13:54 UTC), the large destructive core had commenced to cross the coast
between Innisfail
and Cardwell
with a central pressure of 930 hectopascals and maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h. Maximum 3-second gusts are estimated at 285 km/h, with these likely to affect an area spanning from Ingham
to Cairns according to the Threat Map for a period of 3–4 hours. The eye crossed the coastline at Mission Beach
just before 12:00am AEST (14:00 UTC) and passed over Tully
soon after.
The commentary on this data indicates that "models are quite consistent with the forecast motion" and adds "with the expectation of being a large and intense system, cyclone intensity may be maintained further inland than normal." The cyclone was expected to be a Category 3 system near Georgetown
, 450 km inland as well as affecting the Mining town of Mount Isa. The storm caused an estimated 3.6 billion dollars in damage, making it the costliest tropical cyclone to hit Australia on record (not accounting for inflation). Yasi was also indirectly responsible for the death of a 23 year old man who died of suffocation by generator exhaust fumes.
in Nadi, Fiji (Fiji Meteorological Service
; FMS), located about 330 km (205 mi) south-southwest of Tuvalu
. Situated over a region of high sea surface temperature
s and low to moderate wind shear
, gradual intensification was expected as the system moved southwestwards. Little development took place over the following two days, though the disturbance was classified as a tropical depression on 27 January. By 28 January, the depression was characterised as a poorly developed low with a broad area of rotating, flaring convection
. Considerable development took place the following day, prompting the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
(JTWC) to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
. The storm's low-level circulation centre
became increasingly defined and convective banding features
were apparent along the northern periphery of the depression.
Rapid development
took place throughout 30 January, resulting in the JTWC upgrading the system to a tropical storm after data from an ASCAT
image depicted winds near gale-force around the storm's centre. Shortly thereafter, the FMS also upgraded the storm, classifying it as Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Upon being classified a tropical cyclone, Yasi was located about 370 km (230 mi) northeast of Vanuatu
. Situated along the northern edge of a strong subtropical
ridge
, the storm tracked in a general westward direction, taking it through the northern islands of the country. Continuing to rapidly intensify, Yasi attained severe tropical cyclone intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph) on 31 January as the primary convective band wrapped around the storm's centre. Later that day, the storm crossed 160°E
, prompting the final advisory from the FMS and the first advisory from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as it crossed into the Australian cyclone basin.
Tropical Cyclone Yasi moved across Vanuatu's northern Torba Province
, with winds reaching up to 95 km/h (60 mph). Vanuatuan officials reported difficulties making contact with the Torba Province
, but it was believed that the northern area escaped major damage.
were under way. Media outlets referred to the storm as "what could be the state's worst cyclone in history".
Because of its great size, many feared that the tropical cyclone could cause damage more severe than Cyclone Larry
in 2006 or Cyclone Tracy
, which severely damaged Darwin
in 1974. Thousands of residents in the path of the storm were urged to evacuate by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh
. Thirty thousand people were evacuated from Cairns, including all patients from Cairns Base Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital who were airlifted by the Royal Australian Air Force
and other agencies (such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service) to Brisbane
. The Queensland state emergency coordinator warned residents that they would be on their own for up to 24 hours, as the conditions would be too dangerous for emergency responders.
Waves as high as 12 m (39.37 ft) were predicted to hit the north Queensland coast as the storm surge caused by Cyclone Yasi combined with a high tide of up to 7 m (30 ft) above average.
, the outer edges of the large system brought strong winds, high sea
s and heavy rain
to the country. In Milne Bay Province
, local officials advised residents living along the coast to move to higher grounds.
was lost, the barometric pressure fell to 937.9 mbar (hPa; 27.69 inHg). Around 9:00 am local time on 2 February, radar
data was disrupted. Roughly an hour later, communication with the island was completely lost. Initial reports indicated that the research centre sustained damage, though the scale of this was unknown.
In Mission Beach
near where Cyclone Yasi made landfall, wind gusts were estimated to have reached 290 km/h (180.2 mph), leaving behind significant damage. A storm surge
estimated to have reached 7 m (23 ft) destroyed several structures along the coast and pushed up to 300 m (984.3 ft) inland. In the hours after the storm's passage, police were unable to venture beyond their station grounds as the situation had yet to be declared safe. Most of the beach had lost its sand and every structure was damaged to some degree. Near sunrise
on 3 February, there were no reports of fatalities or injuries in Mission Beach. As the eye of the storm
moved over several towns in Queensland, news reporters took the opportunity to give brief damage assessments before the eyewall returned. The worst affected areas were around Tully
, Silkwood, Mission Beach
, Innisfail
and Cardwell
.
According to residents in Tully, the town was "...a scene of mass devastation". An unknown number of homes were completely destroyed as intense winds, estimated at 209 km/h (129.9 mph), battered the area. Many other homes not destroyed sustained severe facade and or roof damage. As daybreak came, reports from the town stated that about 90% of the structures along the main avenue sustained extensive damage.
An evacuation centre in Innisfail
began to flood as the worst of Yasi's impacts neared. Evacuees were reportedly hammering boards at the bottom of doors to prevent water from further entering the structure. Additionally, concerns over the building's windows came about as they flexed amidst winds over 200 km/h (124.3 mph). In Townsville, numerous roofs were torn off buildings and sent hurtling down streets. Many windows are believed to have been shattered as residents reported the sound of glass breaking throughout the night as the storm moved through. In Tully, the high school was destroyed and will need to be rebuilt.
Numerous emergency calls were made by residents trapped in their homes near the height of the storm. However, their calls could not be acted upon as conditions were too dangerous for police to travel in. One reported instance was of six people trapped in an apartment complex at Port Hinchinbrook near Cardwell who could not be evacuated. The building was threatened by Yasi's storm surge
which exceeded 3 m (9.8 ft). The group were later reported to be safe. Around 10:30 pm local time on 2 February, Premier Bligh stated that an estimated 90,000 structures, including evacuation centres, were without power. This figure rose to 170,000 by morning and officials stated that some residents may be without power for more than a month.
The water-supply system had failed in Townsville and there was only 24 hours supply, while the water had run out at Magnetic Island
in one day.
Fears of total devastation to the banana and sugar cane crops arose as the storm struck land. Initial estimates stated that damage to sugar cane alone could reach A$505 million. On 3 February, total losses from the storm were estimated to reach A$3.5 billion ($3.54 billion USD), this makes it the costliest cyclone to ever hit Austrailia. By 5 February, A$2 billion ($2.03 billion USD) was confirmed to have been lost in agriculture, mining and local government. An additional A$1 billion has been lost in the tourism industry.
One death occurred due to asphyxiation, resulting from carbon monoxide
poisoning as a result of a portable generator being used in a confined space at Bambaroo near Ingham
.
Two days after landfall, severe flooding from the rains severed the Bruce Highway
between Townsville and Ingham leaving a 10 kilometre backup of traffic. Many of those who evacuated the devastated areas including emergency workers were stranded.
On 5 February, the remnants of Yasi as a tropical low created torrential rain as rainfall of 140 mm (5.5 in) was recorded in Terowie and Yongala
. Flooding was widespread in towns of northern South Australia
reaching even Renmark on the River Murray
. In north-west Victoria, Mildura recorded the highest daily rainfall total on record, with 142 mm (5.6 in) and Lyndhurst, a suburb of Melbourne
recorded 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain in the 24 hours falling up to 9am AEDT (22:00 UTC) on the 5 February.
On 6 February, the BOM reported that Ex-Tropical Cyclone Yasi was located 85 km (52.8 mi) north of Yulara and that heavy rains continued in the Alice Springs area. The deluge also continued in northern South Australia as vast areas continued to get rain. Hallett
had a record rainfall amount of 98 mm (3.9 in). Damaging winds with gusts of more than 90 km/h hit Marla
and Coober Pedy
. More than 100 mm (3.9 in) also fell at Arkaroola
and Mt Dare, 92 mm (3.6 in) fell at Marree
, and 86 mm (3.4 in) at Yunta
.
Even one week after the flooding rains, areas that were affected had become completely isolated. At Challenger Gold Mine
150 people were isolated and emergency supplies had to be flown in. Cattle Stations near Oodnadatta
, Glendambo
and the world's largest at Anna Creek station
were all isolated.
(ADF) response was designated Operation Yasi Assist
. The ADF established Joint Task Force 664, based at Lavarack Barracks
in Townsville and under the command of Brigadier Stuart Smith, for operational command on 2 February 2011.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
that made landfall in northern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in the early hours of Thursday, 3 February 2011. Yasi originated from a tropical low near Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. The system intensified to a Category 3 cyclone
Tropical cyclone scales
Tropical systems are officially ranked on one of several tropical cyclone scales according to their maximum sustained winds and in what oceanic basin they are located...
at about 5pm AEST
Time in Australia
Australia uses Standard time, i.e: the same well defined time for a region. The proper names of Australia's time zones are Australian Western Standard Time , Australian Central Standard Time , and Australian Eastern Standard Time...
(07:00 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
) on 31 January 2011. Late on 1 February the cyclone strengthened to a Category 4 system, then early on 2 February, the cyclone intensified to a Category 5 system.
According to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 21, at 9pm AEST (11:00 UTC) the system was centred near 17°24′00"S 147°06′00"E, "110 kilometres east of Innisfail
Innisfail, Queensland
Innisfail is a town located in the far north of the state of Queensland, Australia. It is the major township of the Cassowary Coast and is well renowned for its sugar and banana industries, as well as for being one of Australia's wettest towns...
and moving west southwest at 25 kilometres per hour," with a central pressure of 930 hectopascals. The system had a well-defined eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
and a dvorak intensity of T6.5.
According to Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 24 at 11:54pm AEST (13:54 UTC), the large destructive core had commenced to cross the coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
between Innisfail
Innisfail, Queensland
Innisfail is a town located in the far north of the state of Queensland, Australia. It is the major township of the Cassowary Coast and is well renowned for its sugar and banana industries, as well as for being one of Australia's wettest towns...
and Cardwell
Cardwell, Queensland
Cardwell is a tropical coastal town in northeastern Queensland. It is located at the southern extremity of the Cassowary Coast. At the 2006 census, Cardwell had a population of 1,250. The Bruce Highway National Highway 1 and the North Coast railway line are the dominant transport routes;...
with a central pressure of 930 hectopascals and maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 215 km/h. Maximum 3-second gusts are estimated at 285 km/h, with these likely to affect an area spanning from Ingham
Ingham, Queensland
Ingham is a town in the Great Green Way region of North Queensland, Australia. The town was founded in 1864, gazetted a shire in 1879, and is the service centre for many sugarcane plantations, pioneered in the 1870s by William Ingham, for whom the town is named...
to Cairns according to the Threat Map for a period of 3–4 hours. The eye crossed the coastline at Mission Beach
Mission Beach, Queensland
Mission Beach is a small village along the Coral Sea in Queensland, Australia. The popular tourist destination of Dunk Island lies 4 km offshore.-History:...
just before 12:00am AEST (14:00 UTC) and passed over Tully
Tully, Queensland
Tully is a small town in Queensland, Australia, adjacent to the Bruce Highway approximately south of Cairns by road and north of Townsville. At the 2006 census, Tully had a population of 2,457....
soon after.
The commentary on this data indicates that "models are quite consistent with the forecast motion" and adds "with the expectation of being a large and intense system, cyclone intensity may be maintained further inland than normal." The cyclone was expected to be a Category 3 system near Georgetown
Georgetown, Queensland
Georgetown is a town on the Etheridge River in Far North Queensland, Australia. The Gulf Developmental Road passes through the town, linking Cairns - 412 km to the east - and Normanton - 301 km to the west...
, 450 km inland as well as affecting the Mining town of Mount Isa. The storm caused an estimated 3.6 billion dollars in damage, making it the costliest tropical cyclone to hit Australia on record (not accounting for inflation). Yasi was also indirectly responsible for the death of a 23 year old man who died of suffocation by generator exhaust fumes.
Meteorological history
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi was first identified on 26 January 2011 as a tropical disturbance, given the identifier "09F" by the Regional Specialized Meteorological CenterRegional Specialized Meteorological Center
A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre is responsible for the distribution of information, advisories, and warnings regarding the specific program they have a part of, agreed by consensus at the World Meteorological Organization as part of the World Weather Watch.-Tropical...
in Nadi, Fiji (Fiji Meteorological Service
Fiji Meteorological Service
The Fiji Meteorological Service is a Department of the government of Fiji responsible for providing weather forecasts and is based in Nadi. Since 1995, FMS has been responsible for naming and tracking tropical cyclones in the Southwest Pacific region...
; FMS), located about 330 km (205 mi) south-southwest of Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Tuvalu , formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Hawaii and Australia. Its nearest neighbours are Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Fiji. It comprises four reef islands and five true atolls...
. Situated over a region of high sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperature is the water temperature close to the oceans surface. The exact meaning of surface varies according to the measurement method used, but it is between and below the sea surface. Air masses in the Earth's atmosphere are highly modified by sea surface temperatures within a...
s and low to moderate wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, gradual intensification was expected as the system moved southwestwards. Little development took place over the following two days, though the disturbance was classified as a tropical depression on 27 January. By 28 January, the depression was characterised as a poorly developed low with a broad area of rotating, flaring convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
. Considerable development took place the following day, prompting the Joint Typhoon Warning Center
Joint Typhoon Warning Center
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a joint United States Navy – United States Air Force task force located at the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii...
(JTWC) to issue a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
. The storm's low-level circulation centre
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
became increasingly defined and convective banding features
Rainband
A rainband is a cloud and precipitation structure associated with an area of rainfall which is significantly elongated. Rainbands can be stratiform or convective, and are generated by differences in temperature. When noted on weather radar imagery, this precipitation elongation is referred to as...
were apparent along the northern periphery of the depression.
Rapid development
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
took place throughout 30 January, resulting in the JTWC upgrading the system to a tropical storm after data from an ASCAT
Scatterometer
A radar scatterometer is designed to determine the normalized radar cross section of the surface. Scatterometers operate by transmitting a pulse of microwave energy towards the Earth's surface and measuring the reflected energy. A separate measurement of the noise-only power is made and...
image depicted winds near gale-force around the storm's centre. Shortly thereafter, the FMS also upgraded the storm, classifying it as Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Upon being classified a tropical cyclone, Yasi was located about 370 km (230 mi) northeast of Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
. Situated along the northern edge of a strong subtropical
Subtropical cyclone
A subtropical cyclone is a weather system that has some characteristics of a tropical and an extratropical cyclone. As early as the 1950s, meteorologists were unclear whether they should be characterized as tropical or extratropical cyclones. They were officially recognized by the National...
ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
, the storm tracked in a general westward direction, taking it through the northern islands of the country. Continuing to rapidly intensify, Yasi attained severe tropical cyclone intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph) on 31 January as the primary convective band wrapped around the storm's centre. Later that day, the storm crossed 160°E
160th meridian east
The meridian 160° east of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
, prompting the final advisory from the FMS and the first advisory from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as it crossed into the Australian cyclone basin.
Tropical Cyclone Yasi moved across Vanuatu's northern Torba Province
Torba Province
Torba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, including the Banks Islands and the Torres Islands. Its capital is Sola.The modern name Torba is derived from the initial letters of Torres and Banks.-Facts:...
, with winds reaching up to 95 km/h (60 mph). Vanuatuan officials reported difficulties making contact with the Torba Province
Torba Province
Torba is the northernmost province of Vanuatu, including the Banks Islands and the Torres Islands. Its capital is Sola.The modern name Torba is derived from the initial letters of Torres and Banks.-Facts:...
, but it was believed that the northern area escaped major damage.
Preparations
Australia
By the time Yasi crossed into Australian basin, preparations for the stormStorm
A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather...
were under way. Media outlets referred to the storm as "what could be the state's worst cyclone in history".
Because of its great size, many feared that the tropical cyclone could cause damage more severe than Cyclone Larry
Cyclone Larry
Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry was a tropical cyclone that made landfall in Australia during the 2005-06 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season. Larry originated as a low pressure system over the eastern Coral Sea on 16 March and was monitored by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in...
in 2006 or Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy
Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974...
, which severely damaged Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
in 1974. Thousands of residents in the path of the storm were urged to evacuate by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh
Anna Bligh
Anna Maria Bligh is an Australian politician and the Premier of Queensland since 2007. The 2009 Queensland state election was the first time a female-led political party won or retained state or federal government in Australia...
. Thirty thousand people were evacuated from Cairns, including all patients from Cairns Base Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital who were airlifted by the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
and other agencies (such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service) to Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. The Queensland state emergency coordinator warned residents that they would be on their own for up to 24 hours, as the conditions would be too dangerous for emergency responders.
Waves as high as 12 m (39.37 ft) were predicted to hit the north Queensland coast as the storm surge caused by Cyclone Yasi combined with a high tide of up to 7 m (30 ft) above average.
Elsewhere
Though the storm was situated several hundred kilometres southeast of Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, the outer edges of the large system brought strong winds, high sea
Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, it means a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean...
s and heavy rain
Rain
Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of the atmosphere to have temperatures above the melting point of water near and above the Earth's surface...
to the country. In Milne Bay Province
Milne Bay Province
Milne Bay is a province of Papua New Guinea. Its capital is Alotau. The province covers 14,000 km² of land and 252,990 km² of sea, within the province there are more than 600 islands, about 160 of which are inhabited...
, local officials advised residents living along the coast to move to higher grounds.
Impact and aftermath
Prior to striking mainland Australia, the centre of Cyclone Yasi passed directly over Willis Island, a small island located about 450 km (279.6 mi) east of Cairns. Meteorological data from the island depicted the storm's approach before the equipment was damaged by 185 km/h (115 mph) wind gusts. After the anemometerAnemometer
An anemometer is a device for measuring wind speed, and is a common weather station instrument. The term is derived from the Greek word anemos, meaning wind, and is used to describe any airspeed measurement instrument used in meteorology or aerodynamics...
was lost, the barometric pressure fell to 937.9 mbar (hPa; 27.69 inHg). Around 9:00 am local time on 2 February, radar
Weather radar
Weather radar, also called weather surveillance radar and Doppler weather radar, is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, estimate its type . Modern weather radars are mostly pulse-Doppler radars, capable of detecting the motion of rain droplets in addition to the...
data was disrupted. Roughly an hour later, communication with the island was completely lost. Initial reports indicated that the research centre sustained damage, though the scale of this was unknown.
In Mission Beach
Mission Beach, Queensland
Mission Beach is a small village along the Coral Sea in Queensland, Australia. The popular tourist destination of Dunk Island lies 4 km offshore.-History:...
near where Cyclone Yasi made landfall, wind gusts were estimated to have reached 290 km/h (180.2 mph), leaving behind significant damage. A storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
estimated to have reached 7 m (23 ft) destroyed several structures along the coast and pushed up to 300 m (984.3 ft) inland. In the hours after the storm's passage, police were unable to venture beyond their station grounds as the situation had yet to be declared safe. Most of the beach had lost its sand and every structure was damaged to some degree. Near sunrise
Sunrise
Sunrise is the instant at which the upper edge of the Sun appears above the horizon in the east. Sunrise should not be confused with dawn, which is the point at which the sky begins to lighten, some time before the sun itself appears, ending twilight...
on 3 February, there were no reports of fatalities or injuries in Mission Beach. As the eye of the storm
Storm
A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather...
moved over several towns in Queensland, news reporters took the opportunity to give brief damage assessments before the eyewall returned. The worst affected areas were around Tully
Tully, Queensland
Tully is a small town in Queensland, Australia, adjacent to the Bruce Highway approximately south of Cairns by road and north of Townsville. At the 2006 census, Tully had a population of 2,457....
, Silkwood, Mission Beach
Mission Beach, Queensland
Mission Beach is a small village along the Coral Sea in Queensland, Australia. The popular tourist destination of Dunk Island lies 4 km offshore.-History:...
, Innisfail
Innisfail, Queensland
Innisfail is a town located in the far north of the state of Queensland, Australia. It is the major township of the Cassowary Coast and is well renowned for its sugar and banana industries, as well as for being one of Australia's wettest towns...
and Cardwell
Cardwell, Queensland
Cardwell is a tropical coastal town in northeastern Queensland. It is located at the southern extremity of the Cassowary Coast. At the 2006 census, Cardwell had a population of 1,250. The Bruce Highway National Highway 1 and the North Coast railway line are the dominant transport routes;...
.
According to residents in Tully, the town was "...a scene of mass devastation". An unknown number of homes were completely destroyed as intense winds, estimated at 209 km/h (129.9 mph), battered the area. Many other homes not destroyed sustained severe facade and or roof damage. As daybreak came, reports from the town stated that about 90% of the structures along the main avenue sustained extensive damage.
An evacuation centre in Innisfail
Innisfail, Queensland
Innisfail is a town located in the far north of the state of Queensland, Australia. It is the major township of the Cassowary Coast and is well renowned for its sugar and banana industries, as well as for being one of Australia's wettest towns...
began to flood as the worst of Yasi's impacts neared. Evacuees were reportedly hammering boards at the bottom of doors to prevent water from further entering the structure. Additionally, concerns over the building's windows came about as they flexed amidst winds over 200 km/h (124.3 mph). In Townsville, numerous roofs were torn off buildings and sent hurtling down streets. Many windows are believed to have been shattered as residents reported the sound of glass breaking throughout the night as the storm moved through. In Tully, the high school was destroyed and will need to be rebuilt.
Numerous emergency calls were made by residents trapped in their homes near the height of the storm. However, their calls could not be acted upon as conditions were too dangerous for police to travel in. One reported instance was of six people trapped in an apartment complex at Port Hinchinbrook near Cardwell who could not be evacuated. The building was threatened by Yasi's storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
which exceeded 3 m (9.8 ft). The group were later reported to be safe. Around 10:30 pm local time on 2 February, Premier Bligh stated that an estimated 90,000 structures, including evacuation centres, were without power. This figure rose to 170,000 by morning and officials stated that some residents may be without power for more than a month.
The water-supply system had failed in Townsville and there was only 24 hours supply, while the water had run out at Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is an island offshore from the city of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. This mountainous island in Cleveland Bay has effectively become a suburb of Townsville, with 2,107 permanent residents. The island is accessible from Townsville Breakwater to Nelly Bay Harbour by ferry...
in one day.
Fears of total devastation to the banana and sugar cane crops arose as the storm struck land. Initial estimates stated that damage to sugar cane alone could reach A$505 million. On 3 February, total losses from the storm were estimated to reach A$3.5 billion ($3.54 billion USD), this makes it the costliest cyclone to ever hit Austrailia. By 5 February, A$2 billion ($2.03 billion USD) was confirmed to have been lost in agriculture, mining and local government. An additional A$1 billion has been lost in the tourism industry.
One death occurred due to asphyxiation, resulting from carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
poisoning as a result of a portable generator being used in a confined space at Bambaroo near Ingham
Ingham, Queensland
Ingham is a town in the Great Green Way region of North Queensland, Australia. The town was founded in 1864, gazetted a shire in 1879, and is the service centre for many sugarcane plantations, pioneered in the 1870s by William Ingham, for whom the town is named...
.
Two days after landfall, severe flooding from the rains severed the Bruce Highway
Bruce Highway
The Bruce Highway is a major highway in Queensland, Australia. Commencing in the state capital, Brisbane, it passes through areas close to the eastern coast to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The route is a part of the Australian National Highway and also part of Highway 1...
between Townsville and Ingham leaving a 10 kilometre backup of traffic. Many of those who evacuated the devastated areas including emergency workers were stranded.
On 5 February, the remnants of Yasi as a tropical low created torrential rain as rainfall of 140 mm (5.5 in) was recorded in Terowie and Yongala
Yongala, South Australia
Yongala is a small town located in the state of South Australia, Australia. It has a population of approximately 80 people and is situated on the Clare-Peterborough Road . The town was proclaimed on 23 May 1876 and within 5 years had a population of 353 as developers anticipated the connection of...
. Flooding was widespread in towns of northern South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
reaching even Renmark on the River Murray
Murray River
The Murray River is Australia's longest river. At in length, the Murray rises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains, forming the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it...
. In north-west Victoria, Mildura recorded the highest daily rainfall total on record, with 142 mm (5.6 in) and Lyndhurst, a suburb of Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
recorded 180 mm (7.1 in) of rain in the 24 hours falling up to 9am AEDT (22:00 UTC) on the 5 February.
On 6 February, the BOM reported that Ex-Tropical Cyclone Yasi was located 85 km (52.8 mi) north of Yulara and that heavy rains continued in the Alice Springs area. The deluge also continued in northern South Australia as vast areas continued to get rain. Hallett
Hallett, South Australia
Hallett is a small town with a large history. Situated on the Barrier Highway north of Burra and south-east of Jamestown, Hallett lies close to Goyder's Line, plotted in the nineteenth century by George Goyder, separating the land suitable for cropping from the land suitable for grazing...
had a record rainfall amount of 98 mm (3.9 in). Damaging winds with gusts of more than 90 km/h hit Marla
Marla, South Australia
Marla is a small town on the Stuart highway in north-western South Australia. It is located near the Ghan railway line. At the 2006 census, Marla had a population of 72....
and Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy, South Australia
Coober Pedy is a town in northern South Australia, 846 kilometres north of Adelaide on the Stuart Highway. According to the 2006 census, its population was 1,916 . The town is sometimes referred to as the "opal capital of the world" because of the quantity of precious opals that are mined there...
. More than 100 mm (3.9 in) also fell at Arkaroola
Arkaroola, South Australia
Arkaroola Village is the settlement and resort at the hub of a wilderness sanctuary in the Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia, adjacent to Gammon Ranges National Park and the Mawson Plateau....
and Mt Dare, 92 mm (3.6 in) fell at Marree
Marree, South Australia
Marree is a small town located in the north of South Australia. It lies North of Adelaide at the junction of the Oodnadatta Track and the Birdsville Track, above sea level. The area is the home of the Dieri people. At the 2006 census, Marree had a population of 70.The town was home to Australia's...
, and 86 mm (3.4 in) at Yunta
Yunta, South Australia
Yunta is a village on the Barrier Highway in South Australia that services both the local area and travellers passing through. It lies south west of Broken Hill and north east of Peterborough....
.
Even one week after the flooding rains, areas that were affected had become completely isolated. At Challenger Gold Mine
Challenger Mine
The Challenger Mine is a gold mine in the Far North of South Australia, 165 km west of the Stuart Highway and 740 km north-west of Adelaide. It is operated by Dominion Mining.-History:The ore body was first discovered in 1995...
150 people were isolated and emergency supplies had to be flown in. Cattle Stations near Oodnadatta
Oodnadatta, South Australia
Oodnadatta, South Australia, is a small town surrounded by an area of with cattle stations in arid pastoral rangelands close to the Simpson Desert, north of Adelaide and 112 m above sea level. It can be reached by an unsealed road from Coober Pedy or via the unsealed Oodnadatta Track from...
, Glendambo
Glendambo, South Australia
Glendambo is a town in the Australian state of South Australia, on the Stuart Highway, 254 kilometres from Coober Pedy and 592 kilometres from Adelaide South Australia. At the 2006 census, Glendambo had a population of 77....
and the world's largest at Anna Creek station
Anna Creek station
Anna Creek Station is the world's largest working cattle station. It is located in South Australia, Australia. Its area is roughly which is slightly larger than Israel...
were all isolated.
Lack of retirement
Despite causing catastrophic damage in Australia, the name Yasi was not retired, likely because it received it's name from the 2010-11 South Pacific cyclone season list, before crossing into the Ausralian basin, and it caused little damage while in the South Pacific basin.Response
The Australian Defence ForceAustralian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
(ADF) response was designated Operation Yasi Assist
Operation Yasi Assist
Operation Yasi Assist is a multi-Service activity by the Australian Defence Force as a contribution to the response to Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Coordinated to aid civilian emergency response efforts, at Federal inter-departmental level it is managed by Emergency Management Queensland...
. The ADF established Joint Task Force 664, based at Lavarack Barracks
Lavarack Barracks
Lavarack Barracks is a major Australian Army base located in Townsville, Queensland. Lavarack Barracks is currently home to the Army's 3rd Brigade and 11th Brigade. Elements of the 3rd Brigade based at the Barracks include the Combat Signals Regiment, 3rd Combat Services Support Battalion and the...
in Townsville and under the command of Brigadier Stuart Smith, for operational command on 2 February 2011.
See also
- 2010–11 Australian region cyclone season2010–11 Australian region cyclone seasonThe 2010–11 Australian region cyclone season was a near average tropical cyclone season, with eleven tropical cyclones forming compared to an average of 12. The season began on 1 November 2010 and ended on 30 April 2011. The Australian region is defined as being to south of the equator, between the...
- Timeline of the 2010–11 Australian region cyclone seasonTimeline of the 2010–11 Australian region cyclone seasonThe 2010–11 Australian region cyclone season began on 1 November 2010 and will run through until it ends on 30 April 2011. The Australian region is defined as being to south of the equator, between the 90th meridian east and 160th meridian east...
- 2010–2011 Queensland floods2010–2011 Queensland floodsA series of floods hit Australia, beginning in December 2010, primarily in the state of Queensland including its capital city, Brisbane. The floods forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities. At least seventy towns and over 200,000 people were affected. Damage initially was...
- March 2010 Queensland floods
- Tropical Cyclone Tasha (2010)Tropical Cyclone Tasha (2010)Tropical Cyclone Tasha was a short-lived, but devastating tropical cyclone that exacerbated widespread floods in Queensland, Australia during the 2010 Christmas holiday.-Meteorological history:...
External links
- Australian Bureau of Meteorology (TCWC's Perth, Darwin & Brisbane)
- Community Information Hub
- Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)
- Tropical Cyclone Yasi at NASA Earth ObservatoryNASA Earth ObservatoryNASA Earth Observatory is an online publishing outlet for NASA which was created in 1999. It is the principal source of satellite imagery and other scientific information pertaining to the climate and the environment which are being provided by NASA for consumption by the general public...