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Cyclone Joy

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Severe Tropical Cyclone Joy
Cyclone Joy approaching Australia on December 22
Meteorological history
FormedDecember 15, 1990(1990-12-15)
DissipatedDecember 27, 1990(1990-12-27)
Category 4 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained(BOM)
Highest winds165 km/h (105 mph)
Lowest pressure940hPa(mbar); 27.76inHg
Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained(SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds205 km/h (125 mph)
Lowest pressure940hPa(mbar); 27.76inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities6
Damage$234 million (1990USD)
Areas affectedQueensland
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the1990–91South Pacificand
Australian regioncyclone seasons

Severe Tropical Cyclone Joystruck Australia in late 1990, causing the third highest floods on record inRockhampton,Queensland.This cyclone began as a weaktropical lownear theSolomon Islands,and initially moved westward. On 18 December, it was named Joy, becoming the 2ndnamed stormof the1990–91 Australian region cyclone season.After turning southwest, Joy developed a well-definedeyeand strengthened tomaximum sustained windsof 165 km/h (103 mph) while approachingCairnsinFar North Queensland.Brushing the city with strong winds, the cyclone soon weakened and turned southeast. Joy later curved back southwest, makinglandfallnearTownsville,Queensland on 26 December. It dissipated the next day; remnant moisture continued as torrential rainfall over Queensland for two weeks.

While drifting offshore northeastern Australia, the cyclone produced wind gusts as high as 124 km/h (77 mph) in Cairns, strong enough to cause power outages. InMackay,atornadospawned by Joy damaged 40 homes, while torrential rainfall just south of the city peaked at over 2 metres (6.6 ft). Most storm-associated damage was wrought by severe flooding, which persisted for weeks in hardest-hit locations. Rains significantly increased water levels on 10 rivers, among them theFitzroy River,whichdischargedabout 18 trillion litres (4.8×1012US gallons) of freshwater intoKeppel Bayover 25 days. In turn, theGreat Barrier Reefsuffered biological damage fromcoral bleachingand decreasedsalinity.The Fitzroy River rose to a 9.30-metre (30.5 ft) peak at Rockhampton, forcing thousands to evacuate homes; some stranded individuals could only obtain food by helicopter. Elsewhere in Australia, storm moisture alleviated drought conditions and diminished fires nearSydney.Overall, Joy killed six people and causedA$300 million in damage ($234 millionUSD).[nb 1]Afterwards, the Queensland government issued a disaster declaration for about 30% of the state, and the name Joy wasretiredfrom thelist of tropical cyclone names.

Meteorological history[edit]

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
Unknown
Storm type
triangleExtratropical cyclone,remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

In mid-December, amonsoon troughpersisted along the west Pacific Ocean, spawning a pair of tropical disturbances both north and south of the equator. In the northwestern Pacific Ocean, the system becameTyphoon Russ.[1]On 15 December, atropical lowformed east of theSolomon Islands.During the next few days, the system passed south of the country while slowly organizing.[2]On 18 December, the AustraliaBureau of Meteorologybegan tracking it,namingthe system "Joy" after it upgraded the low totropical cyclone status.[2][3]A meteorologist fromDarwinlater apologised that the name was used so close to Christmas, although "Joy" was predetermined by a rotating list oflist of tropical cyclone names.[4]Also on 18 December, theJoint Typhoon Warning Center(JTWC)[nb 2]began issuing warnings on the storm, labeling it as Tropical Cyclone 06P.[5]With aridgeto the south, Joy continued generally west-southwestward.[1]

While in its origins, Joy was experiencing upper-levelwind shear,but as it approached thejet streamwhile turning to the southwest, conditions became more favourable for intensification. The storm quickly intensified,[2]reaching the equivalent of a minimal hurricane on 21 December.[3]At 00:00 UTC on 23 December, the Bureau estimated Joy reached peak10-minute sustained windsof 165 km/h (103 mph), which made the system a category 4 severe tropical cyclone on theAustralian tropical cyclone intensity scale.[2]Around the same time, the JTWC also estimated the same peak winds, but sustained over one minute.[3]Joy developed aneyeabout 50 km (31 mi) in diameter withconcentric eyewalls.[6]The storm began moving slowly off the northeast coast of Australia, passing within 100 km (62 mi) of Cairns, and the motion shifted to a southeast drift.[2]A buildinghigh pressure areato the south caused the change in movement, and there were initial concerns the storm would loop to the west and affect Cairns again.[7]Drier air caused Joy to weaken gradually from its peak to the equivalent of a strong tropical storm. At 06:00 UTC on 26 December, after turning back to the southwest, the storm madelandfallnearTownsville,Queensland,[2]with winds estimated at 95 km/h (59 mph).[3]That day, the JTWC discontinued advisories,[5]and on 27 December, Joy dissipated inland over Queensland.[3]A remnant system persisted into early January, producing continued rainfall across Queensland.[1]

Preparations[edit]

Before Joy struck Australia, residents evacuated from resorts onFitzroyandGreenislands by boat or plane. Officials set up evacuation centres on the mainland and put theAustralian Armyon standby.[8]The military evacuated its fleet ofBlackhawk helicoptersinland fromRAAF Base Townsville.[9]A man required rescue fromHope Islandby helicopter in advance of the storm.[10]The threat of the storm caused shopping malls and the airport near Cairns to close just before Christmas.[11]Several flights were diverted or delayed, stranding about 1,000 travellers,[12]many of whom spent Christmas in the airport.[13]Road travel was banned in some areas of northeastern Queensland, and residents inPort Douglaswere forced to evacuate.[14]The Flood Warning Centre inBrisbaneissued 192flood warningsrelated to Cyclone Joy in December and January, beginning on 23 December. Most of the warnings were related to increased water levels along rivers.[1]

Impact[edit]

A yacht washed aground atAirlie Beach, Queensland,in theWhitsunday Region

Joy passed within 80 km (50 mi) of Green Island off the coast of Queensland, generating a wind gust of 180 km/h (110 mph). Heavy damage occurred on other islands,[2]and one person drowned while surfing inMackay.[6]A boat became disabled during the storm, forcing its four occupants to ride out the storm for four days onCockermouth Islanduntil they were rescued by helicopter.[15]Several boats were damaged in theWhitsunday Islands.[6]

The storm and its remnants dropped heavy rainfall throughout Queensland for about two weeks,[2]totaling over 2 m (6.6 ft) south of Mackay and over 1 m (3.3 ft) betweenBowenandSt. Lawrence.The highest daily total was 458 mm (18.0 in) about 30 km (19 mi) west ofSarina.[1]Three day rainfall totals around when Joy made landfall included 831 mm (32.7 in) in Blue Mountain and 506 mm (19.9 in) in Waitara.[16]Rainfall continued through the region through March 1991, resulting in the third largest flood in the region in over 100 years.[17]

Overall, Cyclone Joy killed six people, including five in river flooding, and caused aboutA$300 million in damage ($234 millionUSD).[nb 3][1]While stalling off the northeast Australia coast, Joy produced widespreadgaleforce winds,[8]with gusts to 124 km/h (77 mph) recorded at Cairns.[6]After the winds knocked over trees, causing power and phone outages, storm damage cut the water supply and briefly isolated Cairns due to debris blocking roads.[8]An outer rainband struck Mackay as the storm moved ashore, spawning a tornado that damaged 40 houses, destroyed two others, and damaged acaravan park.[2]The windstorm was unexpected there, and damage in Mackay was estimated atA$10 million.[20]Flooding from rainfall affected about 90% of the city, which restricted train travel,[21]causing three trains to be canceled and stranding hundreds of travelers.[22]In Port Douglas, Joy produced an inconsequentialstorm surgeof 0.5 m (1.6 ft).[23]In Innisfail, the cyclone ruined 90% of the town's crops,[24]and over 20 houses sustained wind damage.[25]Banana farmers in the Cairns region lost a combined total of 1.2 million bunches of the fruit. Collectively, crop damage totalled overA$70 million, mostly to sugar cane and banana.[13][26]About 30,000 head of livestock were killed in the region.[27]

Weakening Cyclone Joy near landfall

Rain from Cyclone Joy caused rampant flooding across the region,[2]significantly raising water levels along 10 rivers.[28]The Fitzroy River alone swelled to inundate about 4,000 km2(1,500 sq mi) of terrain. Heightened discharge caused extensive erosion along river channels that removed about 18 million tonnes (20,000,000 short tons) of soil and vegetation.[29]In late December, thePioneer Riverat Mackay peaked at 7.6 m (25 ft), safely within the confines of its levee system.[1]The town ofGiruendured flooding of streets and houses, which would reoccur several times through February.[1][16]High water levels along theTully Riverflooded a portion of theBruce Highway.In the second week of January, theHerbert Riverpeaked at 11.32 m (37.1 ft), causing residential flooding inIngham.[1]Elsewhere in Australia, moisture from the storm eased ongoing bushfires nearSydney.[30]

AtRockhampton,the Fitzroy River rose to an initial peak of 9.15 m (30.0 ft), temporarily dropped, and rose to a final peak of 9.30 m (30.5 ft) in early January 1991, the third highest since records began in 1860,[16]after floods in 1918 and 1954.[29]Inflow from several tributaries ensured the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton remained over 8 m (26 ft) for 13 days. The river entered 350 houses in what was the city's most damaging flood since 1954.[1][16]The town was isolated for about three weeks after flooding covered roads, railways, and the airport.[1][16][31]Before the worst of the flooding, ActingPremierTom Burnsdeclared a state of disaster for Rockhampton, giving local police the authority to force individuals living in flood zones to leave their homes.[32]Ultimately, over 1,000 people sought higher ground,[33]staying mainly at the houses of friends or relatives, or at nearby schools.[34]In an attempt to mitigate damage, 150 volunteers filled 43,000 sandbags to protect properties. Nearby, residents rescued about 100 dogs from an affected kennel.[35]

Storm-related flooding damaged portions of theGreat Barrier Reefthroughcoral bleaching.[17]Over 25 days, theFitzroy Riverdischargedabout 18 trillion litres (4.8×1012US gallons) of water intoKeppel Bay,[29]reaching the Great Barrier Reef in early January and causing a drop in salinity levels. OnGreat Keppel Island,about 85% of shallow-water reefs died. Reef damage also occurred in the Whitsunday Islands.[17]The discharge from the Fitzroy River affected various islands and coral groups, depending on the offshore wind direction and ocean current. The water flow washed a group of freshwater turtles from the mainland toNorth West Island,though they were later returned to their native habitat. The influx of freshwater reduced commercial fishing productivity by 30%.[29]

Aftermath[edit]

Workers in Cairns had restored power and water supplies within a few days of Joy's passage.[7]After the initial flooding from Joy ended, there was additional rainfall in February 1991 that caused flooding across the region.[36]Residual flooding cost the coal industry aboutA$60 million due to loss of production and hindered exporting.[37]While Rockhampton was still isolated by flooding, a helicopter airdropped food to hundreds of stranded families,[38]after the town experienced food and water shortages.[39]Transportation to Rockhampton was not normalised until 20 January, when the airport and incoming roads were reopened.[27]The city of Rockhampton later created a flood plain management policy as a result of the effects from Joy.[40]The floods helped fill thedrainage basinof thePeter Faust Damwithin a few weeks, speeding up a process which would have otherwise taken several years.[41]Months after the storm, the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service collected reports on environmental impacts from the flooding; they included some beneficial aspects such as new locations for animal breeding,[29]and alleviation of drought conditions.[42]The Queensland government upgraded a portion of the Bruce Highway near Rockhampton to reduce flooding in similar storms.[31]

Officials declared about a third of the state of Queensland as a disaster area following Cyclone Joy,[43]directing state funds toward recovery efforts.[13]The Queensland government provided monetary assistance to eligible families in the disaster zone and offered special loans to farmers affected by the storm. The federal government agreed to contribute 75% of overall relief costs.[44]Following the cyclone's impacts in Australia, the name Joy was laterretiredby theWorld Meteorological Organization.[45]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^All damage totals are listed in 1990 values of their respective currencies.
  2. ^The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is a jointUnited States Navy–United States Air Forcetask force that issues tropical cyclone warnings for the western Pacific Ocean and other regions.[5]
  3. ^The damage total was originally reported in 1990Australian dollars.[18]Theexchange ratein 1990 was 1.281 Australian dollars to 1United States dollar.[19]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghijkDarwin Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (1990)."December 1990"(PDF).Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement.9(1). Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 2.ISSN1321-4233.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2013-12-11.Retrieved2013-11-14.
  2. ^abcdefghijAnthony J. Bannister; K. J. Smith (1993-12-04)."The South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Season 1990–1991"(PDF).Australian Meteorological Magazine.42(4). Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 179.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2012-03-21.Retrieved2013-11-14.
  3. ^abcdeKenneth R. Knapp; Michael C. Kruk; David H. Levinson; Howard J. Diamond; Charles J. Neumann (2010).1991 Joy (1990350S11165).The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data(Report). Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.Retrieved2013-11-14.
  4. ^"Shamed by Joy".Herald Sun.1990-12-24.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  5. ^abcJoint Typhoon Warning Center(1992).1991 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report(PDF)(Report). United States Navy.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2013-12-06.Retrieved2013-11-14.
  6. ^abcdJeff Callaghan (2011-08-05).East Coast Impacts of Tropical Cyclones 1858–2008(PDF)(Report).Green Cross International.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2013-12-13.Retrieved2013-11-15.
  7. ^ab"Joy Danger Holds – Fear of winds doubling back".Herald Sun.1990-12-26.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  8. ^abcCathy Johnson (1990-12-24)."Cyclone Joy Heads Towards Cairns".Sydney Morning Herald.Archived fromthe originalon 2013-12-28.Retrieved2013-11-15.
  9. ^"Cyclone lurks off Qld coast And bushfires threaten to flare; in NSW".The Advertiser.Australian Associated Press. 1990-12-27.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  10. ^"Qld braces for cyclone Joy".The Advertiser.Australian Associated Press. 1990-12-22.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  11. ^"North Braced for the Floods of Joy".Sunday Mail.1990-12-23.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  12. ^"No Joy for Travellers as Cyclone Approaches".Courier Mail.1990-12-24.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  13. ^abc"Australian Disaster Zone Declared as Cyclone Weakens". Associated Press. 1990-12-25.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  14. ^Paul Whittaker (1990-12-24). "Qld in fear as cyclone hovers".The Advertiser.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  15. ^"Cyclone fishermen found – 'We're lucky to be alive'".Herald Sun.1990-12-31.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  16. ^abcdeQueensland Flood Summary 1990 – 1999(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology. November 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-12-11.Retrieved2013-11-16.
  17. ^abcR. Van Woesikl; L.M. De Vantier; J.S. Glazebrook (1995-11-23)."Effects of Cyclone 'Joy' on nearshore coral communities of the Great Barrier Reef"(PDF).Marine Ecology Progress Series.128:261–270.Bibcode:1995MEPS..128..261V.doi:10.3354/meps128261.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2013-12-13.Retrieved2013-11-15.
  18. ^Floods Associated With Severe Tropical Cyclone Joy(PDF)(Report). Australian Bureau of Meteorology.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2014-02-13.Retrieved2013-11-18.
  19. ^Lawrence H. Officer (2014)."Exchange Rates Between the United States Dollar and Forty-one Currencies".MeasuringWorth.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-03-09.Retrieved2014-03-09.
  20. ^"Mackay Cyclone Damage is $10M".Courier Mail.1990-12-29.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  21. ^"Soaked City Braces for Increased Floods".Sunday Mail.1990-12-29.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  22. ^"Four fisherman found safe as floods maroon Mackay".The Canberra Times.1990-12-31. p. 1.Retrieved2014-03-02.
  23. ^Cairns Cyclone History(PDF)(Report). Geoscience Australia. p. 68. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2009-10-19.Retrieved2013-11-29.
  24. ^"Cyclone Crushes and Creates Crops".Courier Mail.1991-01-02.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  25. ^Neale Prior (1990-12-26). "Joy's Damage Bill Will Run to Millions, But the Worst Is Over".Sydney Morning Herald.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  26. ^"Joy's crop damage may hit $70m".Hobart Mercury.Australian Associated Press. 1991-01-09.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  27. ^ab"Emergency food for flood towns".Sunday Mail.Australian Associated Press. 1991-01-20.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  28. ^Flood – Gulf Country 23 December 1990(Report). Australian Emergency Management. Archived fromthe originalon 10 December 2013.Retrieved2013-11-28.
  29. ^abcdeG.T. Byron (1991-09-27).Workshop on the Impacts of Flooding(PDF)(Report). Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2014-02-12.Retrieved2013-11-28.
  30. ^Cathy Johnson (1991-01-02). "Extreme Fire Alert for 95% of State".Sydney Morning Herald.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  31. ^abFitzroy River Floodplain and Road Planning Study(PDF)(Report). Queensland Department of Main Roads. 2009-07-02. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on March 30, 2011.Retrieved2013-11-29.
  32. ^John Lehmann (1991-01-03). "Evict Powers to Police in Disaster Area".Courier Mail.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  33. ^Mark Riley (1991-01-05). "1,000 Flee Floods, Worse to Come".Sydney Morning Herald.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  34. ^"Rockhampton as ready as it is going to be".The Canberra Times.1991-01-06. p. 2.Retrieved2014-03-02.
  35. ^"Floods isolate Rockhampton Evacuations continue as river rises".The Advertiser.Australian Associated Press. 1991-01-07.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  36. ^"Man swept away in Qld flooding".The Canberra Times.1991-02-04. p. 3.Retrieved2014-03-02.
  37. ^"Coal Output Halved".Courier Mail.1991-01-10.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  38. ^"Food Drops to Stranded Hundreds".Courier Mail.1990-12-31.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  39. ^Mike Seccomb (1991-01-10). "Cost of Joy: $70M and Rising as Rain Keeps Falling".Sydney Morning Herald.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  40. ^"Planning Scheme for the City of Rockhampton".Rockhampton City Plan(PDF)(Report). Rockingham City Council. 2005-08-30. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2012-04-26.Retrieved2013-11-29.
  41. ^"Cyclone Joy not such an ill wind..."The Canberra Times.1991-03-20. p. 22.Retrieved2014-03-02.
  42. ^Cathy Johnson (1991-01-01). "Joy Spells Disaster for Rockhampton".Sydney Morning Herald.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  43. ^"Third of Qld disaster area".Herald Sun.1991-01-17.
  44. ^Mark Riley; Peter Hartcher (1991-01-09). "Aid Pledged as Looters Strike in Flood Areas".Sydney Morning Herald.– via Lexis Nexis(subscription required)
  45. ^RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee (2023).Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South-East Indian Ocean and the Southern Pacific Ocean 2023(PDF)(Report). World Meteorological Organization.RetrievedOctober 23,2023.

External links[edit]

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