Damien

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Damien developed from a monsoon trough that began forming over the Kimberley region on 2 February 2020. The system initially produced an inland tropical disturbance over the Northern Territory before moving offshore into the eastern Indian Ocean on 4 February. The Bureau of Meteorology designated it a Category 1 cyclone and assigned the name Damien on 6 February, and it subsequently intensified to a Category 2 system as it tracked southward toward the Western Australian coast.

Damien made landfall near Karratha in the Pilbara region on 8 February 2020, making it the strongest cyclone to strike the Western Australian coast since Cyclone Christine in 2013. Wind gusts exceeding 205 km/h were recorded near the landfall point, and more than 230 mm of rainfall fell across Karratha and Roebourne over 8–9 February. Approximately 9,500 residents in the Pilbara lost power, numerous trees were uprooted, and many buildings suffered roof damage. Karratha Airport was forced to close after its terminal was damaged. The Bureau of Meteorology's Dampier radar was significantly damaged and later replaced. Total property damage in Karratha was estimated at around $6 million. No casualties were reported. Due to the destruction caused, the name Damien was subsequently retired by the Bureau of Meteorology and will be replaced by Declan in future seasons.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia