KIRSTY

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kirsty developed from a tropical low in the monsoon trough near the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf on 6 March 1996, during the 1995–96 Australian cyclone season. Moving west-southwest off the Kimberley coast into favourable atmospheric conditions, the system reached tropical cyclone status on 8 March before undergoing rapid intensification. Kirsty peaked as a Category 4 severe tropical cyclone with sustained winds around 175 km/h and gusts exceeding 240 km/h, and a minimum central pressure of approximately 935 hPa.

The cyclone made landfall along a remote stretch of coast near Pardoo Station, in the vicinity of Port Hedland, around 10–12 March 1996. Because landfall occurred along a sparsely populated coastal stretch, major centres such as Broome and Port Hedland were spared the worst of the eyewall winds. Pastoral stations in the area, including Pardoo and Wallal, sustained wind damage to outbuildings, sheds, fencing, and windmills, and tourist cabin facilities also suffered considerable damage. Torrential rainfall led to localised flooding across parts of the eastern Pilbara and southern Kimberley, isolating stations and causing some livestock losses. Offshore oil and gas operations on the North West Shelf suspended activity and evacuated non-essential personnel as a precaution. Kirsty weakened rapidly after moving inland over the Great Sandy Desert, dissipating on 12 March. No direct fatalities or serious injuries were reported.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia