Yasi

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi originated as a tropical disturbance near Fiji on 26 January 2011, before being classified as a tropical cyclone on 30 January when it was located northeast of Vanuatu. The system intensified rapidly as it tracked westward through the Australian cyclone basin, reaching Category 3 status on 31 January, Category 4 late on 1 February, and Category 5 in the early hours of 2 February. At its peak, Yasi recorded a central pressure of 929 hPa with 10-minute sustained winds of around 200 km/h.

Yasi made landfall near Mission Beach in far north Queensland at approximately midnight AEST on 3 February 2011 as a Category 5 system, with maximum wind gusts estimated at 285 km/h affecting an area stretching from Ingham to Cairns. A record low pressure of 929 hPa was observed as the eye passed over Tully. Due to the cyclone's exceptional size and intensity, it retained cyclonic strength well inland before weakening to a tropical low near Mount Isa around 22 hours after landfall.

The storm caused an estimated AU$3.5 billion in damage, making it the costliest tropical cyclone to strike Australia on record in nominal terms. Around 10,000 people were displaced, and 150,000 homes lost power. Roughly 30% of houses in Tully were destroyed, at least 75% of the banana crop was lost, and sugar cane damage was estimated at AU$500 million. One indirect fatality occurred, a 23-year-old who died from generator exhaust fumes. The name Yasi was subsequently retired.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia