Cyclones are a part of life for people living in Queensland’s coastal areas.

Queensland cyclone season is officially from 1 November to 30 April, however we may experience cyclones at other times. Communities within 50 kilometres of the coastline from Bundaberg to Thursday Island, including the Gulf of Carpentaria are most susceptible to cyclones. However, accompanying wind and heavy rain from weakening cyclones can affect communities throughout all parts of Queensland.

What is a cyclone, a storm surge and a storm tide?

The Bureau of Meteorology provides the following explanations to explain how cyclones, storm surges and storm tides work hand in hand to create at times catastrophic conditions.

Tropical Cyclone Ingrid in the Coral Sea
Cyclones
Cyclones are powerful weather systems that can cause significant damage to the built and natural environments. They develop from low pressure systems that develop over warm oceans in the tropics, and generally intensify over several days, generating severe winds, strong rain and flooding. Cyclones produce very strong and potentially destructive winds that rotate clockwise around a calm centre (the ‘eye’).
Storm Surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is a rise above the normal water level along a shore resulting from strong onshore winds and / or reduced atmospheric pressure. Storm surges accompany a tropical cyclone as it comes ashore. They may also be formed by intense low-pressure systems in non-tropical areas.
Storm Tide
Storm tide
A storm tide is the combination of storm surge and normal (astronomical) tide is known as a storm tide. The worst impacts occur when the storm surge arrives on top of a high tide. When this happens, the storm tide can reach areas that might otherwise have been safe.

Understanding tropical cyclone categories

The severity of cyclones are expressed as categories one to five. The Bureau of Meteorology explains below.

Watch Understanding tropical cyclone categories on YouTube.
Understanding tropical cyclone categories

 

Category wind gusts (km/h) and typical impact

CategoryStrongest GustTypical effects
1 - Tropical Cyclone

Less than 125 km/h

Gales

Minimal house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Boats may drag moorings.
2 - Tropical Cyclone

126-164 km/h

Destructive winds

Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small boats may break moorings.
3 - Severe Tropical Cyclone

165-224 km/h

Very destructive winds

Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Power failure likely.
4 - Severe Tropical Cyclone

225-279 km/h

Very destructive winds

Significant roofing and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.
5 - Severe Tropical Cyclone

More than 280 km/h

Extremely destructive winds

Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction.

 

Understand your risk

Queensland homes within 50 kilometres of the coastline north from Bundaberg need to be strong enough to withstand cyclonic winds. 

Wind loading regions
SWHA-SEQ Project - Cyclone Risk in Queensland

Data from: Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience

In addition, homes located within 100 to 200 metres of an open shoreline are at risk of impacts from breaking waves caused by storm tide.

To understand your storm tide risk, you can request a Coastal Hazard Property Map which shows the estimated storm tide levels for your particular property. You can also talk to a coastal engineer who can confirm whether your property is likely to be impacted by waves during a storm tide. 

Illustration explaining storm tide event

What happens in a cyclone

As a cyclone approaches, the wind and rain gradually increases over several hours. 

A cyclone will sound like a roaring train or jet engine and skies will darken, turning the day into night. You could be inside for many hours.  There may be strong winds and horizontal rain. These winds are powerful enough to break large trees, roll over sea containers, and blow away unsecured caravans, garden sheds and poorly constructed roofed patios. They can cause extensive property damage and turn loose items into wind-borne debris that cause further building damage. Slow moving cyclones can take many hours to move past a particular location, and extreme wind and rain can last up to 12 hours.

As the cyclone moves over the coastline, those in the direct path will experience the eye of the cyclone, and it's lighter winds and clear skies. The eye can be from 10km - 100km wide.  When the eye passes over,  the returning winds are faster, more intense and can return without any warning. 

House severely damaged by cyclone
Uprooted tree on house
Cyclone damaged house
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Find out more and Get Ready

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