FREDA

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Freda was an erratic and significant storm that was active from 24 February to 9 March 1981. The system originated as a tropical low within the monsoon trough over the southern Gulf of Carpentaria on 24 February, and that same night crossed the Cape York Peninsula approximately 65 kilometres north of the Edward River Mission. It then emerged into the Coral Sea near Cooktown on 26 February, where it steadily organised and intensified as it tracked east-southeastward across open water.

Freda reached its peak intensity as a Category 3 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, achieving a minimum central pressure of 972 hPa and maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 130 km/h. Continuing eastward, it eventually crossed the 160°E meridian, exiting the Australian area of responsibility, and went on to make landfall in New Caledonia before dissipating.

In terms of impacts, Freda's initial passage over far north Queensland produced substantial rainfall, with 24-hour totals reaching 260 mm and causing widespread flooding across the Barron, Herbert, Tully, and Johnstone river catchments. The cyclone's extensive wind field also generated dangerous swells along the Queensland coast. A commercial fishing trawler was capsized approximately 300 kilometres east of Mackay, though all four crew members were rescued successfully.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia