Cyclone Winifred
![]() Winifred makinglandfallin Queensland | |
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | 27 January 1986 |
Dissipated | 5 February 1986 |
Category 3 severe tropical cyclone | |
10-minute sustained(BOM) | |
Highest winds | 130 km/h (80 mph) |
Lowest pressure | 957hPa(mbar); 28.26inHg |
Category 2-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
1-minute sustained(SSHWS/JTWC) | |
Highest winds | 165 km/h (105 mph) |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 3 direct |
Damage | $154 million (1986USD) |
Areas affected | Queensland,Australia |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the1985–86 Australian region cyclone season |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Winifredwas the worst tropical cyclone to makelandfallin northernQueenslandand the first sinceAltheain 1971 to inflict significant damage on the northeastern coast ofAustralia.The sixth named storm of the1985–86 Australian region cyclone season,Winifred originated as atropical lownorth ofCairns, Queenslandon 27 January 1986. Slowly organizing, the system was recognized as atropical cycloneafter gaining tropical characteristics on 30 January, christened with the name Winifred the same day. Meandering southward, the cyclone began to curve southeastward that evening before suddenly turning toward the coast, southwestward, on 31 January, steadily intensifying in that time. By the time it came ashore nearSilkwood, Queenslandat 0445UTCon 1 February, it was producing Category 3-force winds on theAustralian tropical cyclone intensity scaleand a minimumatmospheric pressureof 957mbar(28.38inHg). Weakening as it drifted inland, Winifred persisted as atropical depressionfor another five days after landfall before finally dissipating on 5 February.
In advance of Winifred's approach, the AustralianBureau of Meteorology (BoM)issued cyclone watches and warnings for various locations along the Queensland coast, prompting evacuations in several towns. Damage after landfall was widespread and severe, with thousands of homes damaged, flooding as a result of heavy rainfall along major rivers, and severe damage to crops. Debris obstructed roads across northern Queensland and power outages disrupted electrical service, even at water treatment plants, forcing officials to warn residents to boil water as a precautionary measure. Overall, the cyclone caused $86.4 million in agriculture-related damages, withsugar caneandbananaharvests suffering the most. Tourist operations were generally uninterrupted by the storm, while ecological and environmental damage, if any, was mild. Even so, high winds uprooted trees in wide swaths of forests, with those not completely defoliated. Overall, Winifred caused three deaths and inflicted $130 million (1986AUD;$154 millionUSD)[nb 1]in damage.[nb 2]
In the aftermath of the cyclone, theAustralian governmentdistributed financial and emergency aid, offering to provide assistance to hard-hitbananaandsugar canefarmers in northern Queensland. Hundreds ofState Emergency Service (SES)volunteers were deployed to restore electrical and water services, evacuate local citizens, provide food, and repair and protect structures. TheDepartment of Social Security (DSS)sent employees to receive claims for damage, requests for financial aid, and filings for unemployment benefits. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth of Australia initiated a three-year, $150 million program to provide relief to damaged areas. Fund payments, however, were frequently incorrectly distributed, and in some cases, fraudulent. In the confusion in the days following the cyclone, looters stole possessions in areas within the vicinity ofInnisfail,and relief efforts were impeded by thunderstorms atCairns.TheBureau of Meteorology (BoM)was subject to heavy criticism in the days following the storm's landfall, accused of not giving ample warning in advance of Winifred's approach; however, these concerns were later addressed in its report on the cyclone's impact. Due to the severity of the storm's damage, the nameWinifredwasretiredafter the season ended.
Meteorological history
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Winifred_1986_track.png/275px-Winifred_1986_track.png)
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
![triangle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/ArrowUp.svg/18px-ArrowUp.svg.png)
The origins of Cyclone Winifred can be traced to atropical lowfirst noted approximately 450 mi (720 km) north ofCairns, Queenslandon 27 January 1986. The system initially drifted to the northwest, exhibiting characteristics indicating gradual organization. On the morning of 29 January, it curved southward while slowly strengthening. Observations gathered by theGeostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS)on 30 January evidenced that the low had developed into atropical cyclonewhile maintaining a minimumatmospheric pressureof 995mbar(29.38inHg). As a result, the AustralianBureau of Meteorology (BoM)subsequently designated the disturbance the name Winifred at 1400UTCas it meandered southward,[1]the sixth named storm of the1985–86 Australian region cyclone season.[5]The cyclone continued to steadily intensify, attaining Category 1-equivalent intensity on theSaffir–Simpson hurricane wind scaleduring the morning of 1 February, with winds of 118 km/h (73 mph).[6][7]Forecasting of Winifred's track was impeded by the presence of a canopy of persistent high-levelcirrus cloudsshielding theeyeandrainbandsof the cyclone throughout its course, leading to inaccuracies in locating the cyclone's centre throughsatellite observations.[1]
Forecasts initially projected the cyclone recurving southeastward late on 30 January before tracing southwestward during the evening of 31 January. Maintaining a relatively large eye with a width of about 51 km (32 mi), the cyclone intensified while nearing the shoreline of northernQueensland;by 0300 UTC the following day, though, a slight reduction in its size was noticeable, and by the time the cyclone madelandfall,its eye was merely 41 km (25 mi) in diameter. In conjunction, the storm's minimum atmospheric pressure sank to 957 mbar (28.3 inHg) by the time the cyclone made landfall nearSilkwoodat 0445 UTC, indicative of the storm's peak intensity;[1]the low pressure, coinciding with 10-minutemaximum sustained windsof 130 km/h (81 mph), placed Winifred as a Category 2-equivalent storm on the Saffir–Simpson scale,[6][7]or a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone on theAustralian scale.[8]Drifting father inland, Winifred's radar features became distorted as it weakened; despite this, it lingered overland as a tropical depression for another five days before finally dissipating.[1]Although official best track data recorded the storm dissipated on 5 February,[6]Winifred was operationally declared dissipated on 6 February. The cyclone was the first in 14 years to significantly impact the northeastern coast of Australia.[1]
Preparations
[edit]Numerous warnings were issued throughout the course of the cyclone. The firstcyclone watchrelated to Cyclone Winifred was declared by theBureau of Meteorology (BoM)on 29 January for various locations inQueensland,spanning fromThursday IslandtoCooktown,and was adjusted as Winifred approached. The initial cyclone warning was issued on the morning of 30 January, stretching betweenCape FlatteryandTownsville,while the previous cyclone watch was expanded to cover areas fromLockhart RivertoSt Lawrence.The warning was later extended to reach Cooktown andBowen,and was further lengthened to span regions fromCairnsto St Lawrence. On the morning of 1 February, observations indicated that the cyclone had suddenly veered toward the coast, and a Flash Tropical Cyclone Advice was subsequently released, noting the potential for powerful winds betweenFitzroy IslandandInnisfail.[1]In conjunction, the Queensland Flood Warning Centre initiated flood warnings along theTully,Herbert,[1]Bulloo,Barcoo,Thomson,Diamantina,andCooperwaterways.[9]The BoM also imposed a gale warning stretching from Cooktown toCardwell,[10]accompanied a strong wind warning betweenCape MelvilleandGladstone.[11]
Winifred forced many to flee from hotels in northern Queensland, and atCairns,boats were ordered to be docked at harbor.[12]State Emergency Service (SES)members and other individuals worked to evacuate dozens of people inIngham,as well as along the Tully,Burdekin,and Herbert rivers. Inhabitants of caravan parks were forced to vacate their residences in Innisfail and helicopter crews cleared residents from Ingham andBabinda.Meanwhile, many atMinnamoolkaalong the banks of the Burdekin River left their homes as a cautionary measure.[13]and 47 citizens ofMourilyanevacuated to a club lodge.[14]
Impact
[edit]Offshore impacts were significant; on 30 January, the yachtDarkiewashed ashore atSouth Brook Island,its crew of four surviving.[10]ThroughoutQueensland,the cyclone isolated small towns, cut off telephone service, inflicted severe damage to crops, and generated widespread flooding. BetweenCairnsandIngham,Winifred obliterated structures, toppled power lines, uprooted trees, wrecked 1000 homes, and damaged hundreds of others.[13]Service ofthe SunlanderbetweenGordonvaleandBabindawas interrupted after tracks were inundated, and travelers were forced to travel by bus instead.[10]At the latter city, approximately 500 homes suffered significant damage, and atInnisfail,200 residences were destroyed. Several individuals were recovered safely from wreckage of a building collapse in each city.[13]At Babinda, sixteen other structures were wrecked, with the cyclone unroofing an additional 50 houses and flattening 40 sheds. Five individuals were badly injured, two of them impaled by flying glass and other debris.[14]Officials noted that the cyclone tore off the police station door and unroofed aUniting Church.[12]Helicopter reconnaissance indicated severe damage tosugarcaneandbananacrops as well as a critical electrical power tower, with considerable damage observed in the town proper.[13]
At Innisfail, Winifred damaged 190 houses, downed electrical wires, overturned trees, and flooded lowlands,[14]with reports of over 200 mm (7.9 in) in rainfall.[10]Innisfail Hospital, meanwhile, suffered the loss of several windows, inciting the evacuation of patients to the first floor.[12]The cyclone drove a small vessel ashore at nearby Banana Island;[10]in addition, a teenage girl was severely impaled by a flying slab of iron in downtown Innisfail,[13]later dying as a result of her injuries.[15]Meanwhile, atMalanda,a man was knocked off a shed roof by a strong gust and was subsequently declared dead. Winds leveled dozens of structures atMission Beach,Tully,Silkwood,Kurrimine Beach,Cardwell,El Arish,South Johnstone,andMourilyan.[13]At Mourilyan, 12 boats sank in the town harbor, and all structures were damaged to some extent, with 20 houses roofless and one flattened. At Tully, the capacity of theKareeya Hydro Power Stationwas slightly reduced after rubbish became stuck in its components, and at Ingham, theHerbert Riverpeaked at a height of 15.8 m (52 ft), overflowing its barriers by 10 m (33 ft). Cyclone Winifred inundated the main street of Ingham with flood waters, completely obstructed numerous north-to-south streets,[13]flooded stores, and cut off electricity fromAvergowie College.[14]A 35-year-old man was discovered dead down a storm water drain, having drowned in the storm's flood waters.[16]Debris and flooding also impeded and obstructed of parts of theBruce,Gillies,andPalmerstonhighways.[13]
Rescue and relief work was impeded by overloaded telephone communications, and consequentially,Telecomceased telephone service betweenTownsvilleand Ingham. Nearly 400 mm (16 in) of rainfall was measured atCardstonealong theTully River,and flooding was noted along the boundaries of both the Tully and Herbert rivers,[13]of which the prior had receded from its peak level to 9.09 m (29.8 ft) by the afternoon of 3 February.[17]The city of Cairns and its outskirts experienced power outages, and high tides nearby compelled ship owners to seek refuge at ports. Blackouts rendered chlorination facilities and water treatment plants useless, and residents were subsequently advised to boil water.[13]Damage to three roofs was reported at Bingal Beach north of Cairns, and in Cairns proper, damaged ten houses, with five of them unroofed, toppled trees, and knocked down power lines. The storm delivered similarly severe damage along Marlin Beach within the vicinity of Cairns, washing away stretches of its coastline, unroofing two residences, damaging 13 other structures, and overturning power lines.[14]The loss of electricity at one building in the Cairns Base Hospital complex, which was also unroofed, left it running on emergency power.[12]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Cyclone_Winifred.png/320px-Cyclone_Winifred.png)
One person was struck and injured by an uprooted tree atAtherton,which suffered the loss of one house. All residences in Cardwell endured some degree of damage, with six unroofed, and the town itself was without power. Roads inCharters Towerswere obstructed, and minor damage was observed atCowley Beach,Dunk Island,andEast Russell.Nearly all buildings in El Arish were damaged, and at Gordonvale, flooding inflicted widespread crop damage and winds toppled trees and power lines. Flood waters cut off the town ofHalifaxand inundated local businesses. Although no structural damage was recorded inHerberton,the cyclone uprooted trees, crippled Archer Bridge above Kennedy Creek, and halted electrical and telephone service.Mena Creekwas completely cut off, and at Malanda, 30 homes experienced damage and 20 farms were wrecked. AtMillaa Millaa,the cyclone damaged 12 dwellings, and hundreds of barns, also impeding access to power and water supplies. Meanwhile, atMiriwinni,winds damaged 50 houses, toppled electrical wires, and strewed roads with debris. Despite the fact that flooding was less serious at Kurrimine Beach, the storm still damaged dozens of houses and toppled electrical poles, with the towns ofRavenshoeand Silkwood experiencing power outages following the disturbance's passage. Although only inconsequential residential damage occurred atWoopen CreekandYungaburra,damage at Tully was more serious, with considerable flooding, destruction to six houses, damage to a police station, and a localized blackout.[14]
The cyclone caused $50 million in damage to the banana crop and $3 million to papaws between Ingham to Cairns alone.[18]Agricultural impairment was not limited to Babinda; throughout northern Queensland, the storm devastated banana and papaw crops. Avocado farms at Atherton and pineapple farms inRollingstoneandMutarneeexperienced considerable losses; in addition, $35 million in sugar cane crops near Innisfail were destroyed, with 60–70 percent of the entire year's harvest ruined. Within the vicinity of Tully, the storm ruined 30 percent of the crop, causing $10 million in losses.[19]In general, the sugar industry, already economically weak, bore the brunt of the system's impact. Overall, Winifred caused $86.4 million in agricultural losses; the cyclone ruined 1.5 million tonnes of sugar, costing $40 million, 3.7 million cases of bananas, costing $34.6 million, and 15 percent of themaizecrop, costing $500,000. Winifred also damaged $4.9 million in papaws, and $3.8 million inavocados,lychees,custard apples,flowers,andchokos,as well. Effects to dairy and poultry industries were less severe, with losses reported at $2 million and $600,000, respectively. Winds uprooted large swaths of forest, with $1 million in damage at government-owned forests alone.[1]
Ecological damage was widespread but generally mild. Although damage tomangroveswas minor, the cyclone defoliated swaths of many coastal and island forests. For the most part,caysandreefswere unharmed, with no visible change in the general appearance or shape of reefs and little underwater change as well. It was noted, however, that water clarity surrounding certain reefs was poor. River plumes of the Herbert, Tully,Murray,Hull,Johnstone,andMulgrave/Russellrivers were noticeably changed, with some paths diverted. The Herbert River plume expanded to encompass areas near theGreater Palm groupof islands, the Mulgrave/Russell around theFrankland Islands.In addition, the loss of a raft system utilized forfarming of giant clamswas noted nearFitzroy Island.Tourist operations experienced little damage from Winifred, with only minimal damage on Dunk Island,Bedarra Island,and Mission Beach.[20]Overall, Winifred caused three deaths and $130 million (1986AUD) in damage,[1]and was described by the Bureau of Meteorology as the worst cyclone to strike Queensland sinceCyclone Altheain 1971.[12]
Aftermath
[edit]On 3 February, the head of theState Emergency Service (SES)and then-PremierJoh Bjelke-Petersentoured northern Queensland to inspect damage. Thegovernment of Australiavowed to assist by providing financial and emergency services, also offering to provide aid tobananaandsugar canefarmers who suffered losses as a result of Winifred. Two government helicopters were sent shortly thereafter, assessing the severity of damage, evacuating residents, and delivering food.[21]Bjelke-Petersen later expressed anger at the federal government for having increased the threshold for disaster relief before raising loans, and also stated that the Federal Minister for Primary Industry, John Kerin, had no right to accompany him on his visit to northern Queensland, only offering to discuss an offer provided that the federal government was willing to provide financial assistance.[22]Approximately 500 volunteers for the SES were deployed the same day, reinstating electrical and other essential services, evacuating regional citizens,[13]delivering bread to numerous towns,[14]and sending 700tarpaulinsto shield roofless houses.[17]Rescue and relief work was hindered by high traffic on telephone networks, forcingTelecomto cease calls betweenTownsvilleandIngham.[13]
Emergency crews of the government'sDepartment of Social Security (DSS)visited locations throughout the region, receiving damage claims, requests for monetary aid, and filings for unemployment benefits.[23]The Commonwealth pledged to provide $150 million in relief over a three-year period to thegovernment of Queenslandin exchange for deregulation; however, its offer was initially rejected. Planes flewclaims adjustersand other officials toInnisfail,establishing an insurance emergency service in the city hall, while the Insurance Council of Queensland deployed its special emergency service employees for the first time.[24]As a result of severe damage, a disaster declaration for northern regions was issued by Queensland Government on 4 February. The first $10 million in aid from the state government, paid by the federal government, was supplied the same day. Meanwhile, the SES continued its cleanup efforts, removing debris and repairing structures.[25]Looters took advantage of confusion in the days following the cyclone, striking residences throughout Innisfail. By the end of the day, 2200 tarpaulins had been distributed; however, the previously smooth relief efforts were impeded by thunderstorms inCairns.[26]
TheBureau of Meteorology (BoM)was subject to scrutiny in the aftermath of Winifred, and was criticized for its lack of advance warning. Advices and warnings were received by regional television and radio stations up to 15 minutes late following issuance. Winifred's sudden and unexpected turn was little-anticipated by BoM meteorologists, with employees unable to verify the cyclone's centre from the Cairns radar until only about 9:30 a.m. on 1 February, with radar error of up to 44 km (27 mi) observed. However, a Flash Tropical Cyclone Advice was immediately issued shortly thereafter, reaching media outlets near noon that day. Media outlets went suggested the creation of a newTropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC)in Townsville as a result, but the suggestion was dismissed, with a centre already established inBrisbane.[1]A spokesman for the SES stated that no warning was given by the BoM at 9 a.m., with the storm's alarming approach; the Service had initially been anticipating the storm's recurvature out to sea, only to receive a flash warning hours later.[9]Months after Winifred, a Commonwealth inquiry sought to investigate misuse of National Disaster Relief Scheme funds related to Winifred, with a $145,000 payment to aNational Partyofficial, Mike Behan, one of several abuses.[27]Due to the severity of the storm's damage, the nameWinifredwasretiredafter the season ended.[28]
See also
[edit]- List of retired Australian cyclone names
- Cyclone Justin– Brought severe flooding toQueenslandandPapua New Guinea
- Cyclone Joy– Caused considerable damage inRockhampton, Queensland
Notes
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]- ^The damage total was originally reported in 1986Australian dollars.[1]Using theReserve Bank of Australia,the total was inflated to $315 million in 2013 dollars.[2]The total would be $327 million after converted to 2013United States dollarsusing theOanda Corporation,[3]which would be about $154 million when adjusted for inflation to 1986.[4]
- ^All damage figures are in 1986Australian dollars (AUD)unless otherwise noted.
References
[edit]- ^abcdefghijkZillman, J.W.; Pierrehumbert, C.; Falls, Messrs R.; Crane, G.; Gordon, B.; Fletcher, P.; Heatherwick, G. (15 August 1986).Report on Cyclone Winifred(PDF).Bureau of Meteorology(Report).Brisbane, Queensland, Australia:Queensland Regional Office.Retrieved24 January2014.
- ^Inflation Calculator(Report). Reserve Bank of Australia. 2013.Retrieved17 February2014.
- ^"Historical Exchange Rates".Oanda Corporation. 2013.Retrieved17 February2014.
- ^Bureau of Labor Statistics (2013)."CPI Inflation Calculator".United States Department of Labor.Retrieved17 February2014.
- ^Kingston, G. (September 1986)."The Australian tropical cyclone season 1985–86"(PDF).Australian Meteorological Magazine.34(3). Bureau of Meteorology: 103–115.
- ^abcKenneth R. Knapp; Michael C. Kruk; David H. Levinson; Howard J. Diamond; Charles J. Neumann (2010).1986 Winifred (1986027S13145).The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data(Report). Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2016.Retrieved12 February2014.
- ^abSchott, Timothy; Landsea, Christopher; Hafele, Gene; Lorens, Jeffrey; Taylor, Arthur; Thurm, Harvey; Ward, Bill; Willis, Mark; Zaleski, Walt (1 February 2012)."The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale"(PDF).National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.National Hurricane Center.Retrieved12 February2014.
- ^Noar, P.F., ed. (June 1990).Report on Severe Tropical Cyclone Aivu(PDF)(Report).Melbourne, Victoria, Australia:Bureau of Meteorology.Retrieved17 February2014.
- ^abWeston, P. (9 February 1986). "Cyclone warning not given, says SES".The Sunday Mail.
- ^abcdeReynolds, P. (30 January 1986). "Winnie wreaks havoc".The Daily Telegraph.
- ^Doorley, N. (31 January 1986). "Wild Winnie grows stronger".The Daily Telegraph.
- ^abcdeAlcorn, G. (2 February 1986). "Cyclone hammers northern coastline".The Sunday Mail.
- ^abcdefghijklPie, T.; Wright, J. (3 February 1986). "North braces for flood".The Courier-Mail.
- ^abcdefgStaff writer (4 February 1986). "Police survey of all districts, damage".The Courier-Mail.
- ^Maher, N. (13 March 1986). "Third cyclone death".The Courier-Mail.
- ^Wright, J. (5 February 1986). "Ingham drain death tied to NQ cyclone".The Courier-Mail.
- ^abDoorley, N. (3 February 1986). "Battered Babinda's day of desperation – threat of more rain".The Daily Telegraph.
- ^Rous, S. (4 February 1986). "Damage worst for decades: Premier".The Courier-Mail.
- ^Staff writer (4 February 1986). "Banana prices tipped to rise".The Courier-Mail.
- ^Dutton, I.M., ed. (20 June 1986).The offshore effects of Cyclone Winifred(PDF).Government of Australia(Report).Townsville, Queensland, Australia:Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.Retrieved17 February2014.
- ^Livingstone, T. (3 February 1986). "Premier, Kerin fly north today".The Courier-Mail.
- ^Humphries, D. (4 February 1986). "Growers' hopes dissolve in Winifred's wake".The Age.
- ^Hume, C. (4 February 1986). "Relief teams move out into north's battered districts".The Courier-Mail.
- ^Earle, G. (4 February 1986). "$60m damage to cane – Katter".The Courier-Mail.
- ^Staff writer (4 February 1986). "Cyclone-hit Qld might get double disaster aid".The Advertiser.
- ^Doorley, N. (4 February 1986). "Looters add to cyclone misery".The Telegraph.
- ^Landers, D. (21 September 1986). "Fund 'misuse' inquiry to hit National seat".The Sunday Mail.
- ^RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee (2008).Tropical Cyclone Operational Plan for the South Pacific and South-East Indian Ocean(PDF)(Report). World Meteorological Organization.Retrieved3 March2014.
External links
[edit]- Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC)Archived2010-03-01 at theWayback Machine
- Australian Bureau of Meteorology (TCWC's Perth, Darwin & Brisbane)Archived2009-11-12 at theWayback Machine
- Queensland cyclone photographs,State Library of Queensland.Includes photographs of the aftermath of Cyclone Winifred