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History - Australia's worst cyclone disasters

Cyclone Mahina occurred in March 1899 and was accompanied by a storm surge of over 10 meters (see storm surge). It claimed over 300 lives and destroyed a fleet at Bathurst Bay near Cape Melville, Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Ada was a 'Category 4' cyclone that severely damaged resorts on the Whitsunday Islands in January 1970. It claimed resorts and boats on the Islands of Daydream, South Molle and Hayman, as well as homes near Proserpine where flooding also occurred.

14 people died and total estimated costs were $390 million (in 1970 values).

Above: Cyclone Winifred 1986. ¹

Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin in the Northern Territory on Christmas Eve 1974. Rainfall totalled 195 mm in 8 ½ hours with estimated wind gusts of around 250 km/hr. The cyclone literally tore the city apart and killed 65 people.

Tropical Cyclone Winifred was a Category three cyclone that struck south of Innisfail in February 1986. It destroyed 50 homes and damaged hundreds of others as well as larger buildings.

There were three deaths, 20 injuries, and severe sugar cane, fruit and vegetable crop losses. Total estimated costs were $325 million (in 1997 values).

Right: Remains of a caravan after Cyclone Winifred. ¹

Tropical Cyclone Justin caused significant damage in the Cairns region when it approached on two occasions in March 1997. Despite it being only a 'Category 2' cyclone, houses were undermined by huge waves, a marina and boats were severely damaged, roads and bridges suffered from flood and landslide damage and huge losses were inflicted on sugar cane, fruit and vegetable crops.

The Queensland death toll was 7 and total estimated costs were $190 million (in 1997 values).

Above: Just three examples of the powerful destruction properties of Cyclone Winifred. ¹

1. Photo courtesy of Cairns Post.