CYCLONE TRACY

WHAT IS A CYCLONE?

• According to Oxford Dictionaries, a cyclone is a “system of winds rotating inward to an area of low atmospheric pressure”

WHAT CAUSED IT?

• Opposing winds over the Arafura Sea on December 20, 1974, met and caused storm clouds to form.
• Began to move southwest and intensified as it moved.
• Passed Bathurst Island on 23rd and 24th

WHAT HAPPENED?

• Suddenly turned southeast and moved toward Darwin, Australia, striking early on Christmas morning.

IMAGE OF DARWIN AFTER CYCLONE

AFTERMATH

• About 70% of Darwin’s homes were destroyed
• Total damage bill ran into hundreds of millions of dollars
• 49 people died in city, 16 perished at sea (bom.gov.au)
• 53 people died in city, 13 perished at sea (naa.gov.au)

WHAT WAS DONE TO PREVENT THIS AGAIN?

• Building codes and other social aspects of disaster planning had more attention when rebuilding Darwin

WHAT TO DO IN PREPARATION FOR A CYCLONE

• Create an emergency kit
• Get to a safe location
• Ensure you have everyone

SOURCES

• https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Tracy
• http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/tracy.shtml
• http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs176.aspx
• https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/cyclone/Pages/takeactionduring...

THE END