The level of destruction a cyclone causes is directly related to how severe the wind, rainfall and storm surge is.
Severe Wind
Wind gusts of around 90km/h can be expected for a tropical cyclone while the most severe is 360km/h. Cyclone Yasi's wind gusts around the eye reached up to 295km/h (Bureau of Meteorology, 2013). The most destructive winds are experienced in the small area surrounding the eye.
Heavy Rainfall
The cumulonibus clouds that form cyclones contain huge amounts of water due to the tropical location of the cyclone formation. This water then produces heavy rainfall which can cause extensive damage such as floods. However, if a cyclone forms a tropical depression, it usually gives rain to southern Australia, providing a much needed resource (Geoscience Australia, 2013). At south Mission Beach, 470mL of rain was recorded in 24hr period (Katec1, 2013). The heavy rainfall only added to the destruction the La Niña floods caused early January.
Storm Surge
In the past, storm surge has been the most dangerous hazard related to tropical cyclones, causing more deaths then any other related hazard (Geoscience Australia, 2013). Storm surge is usually a 2-5 meter rise in normal tide level and is caused by a combination of strong winds and low atmospheric pressure. Low lying coastal areas are especially at risk of being inundated by the ocean. Cardwell experienced a 5m high storm surge, 2.3m higher than normal astrological tides.
Severe Wind
Wind gusts of around 90km/h can be expected for a tropical cyclone while the most severe is 360km/h. Cyclone Yasi's wind gusts around the eye reached up to 295km/h (Bureau of Meteorology, 2013). The most destructive winds are experienced in the small area surrounding the eye.
Heavy Rainfall
The cumulonibus clouds that form cyclones contain huge amounts of water due to the tropical location of the cyclone formation. This water then produces heavy rainfall which can cause extensive damage such as floods. However, if a cyclone forms a tropical depression, it usually gives rain to southern Australia, providing a much needed resource (Geoscience Australia, 2013). At south Mission Beach, 470mL of rain was recorded in 24hr period (Katec1, 2013). The heavy rainfall only added to the destruction the La Niña floods caused early January.
Storm Surge
In the past, storm surge has been the most dangerous hazard related to tropical cyclones, causing more deaths then any other related hazard (Geoscience Australia, 2013). Storm surge is usually a 2-5 meter rise in normal tide level and is caused by a combination of strong winds and low atmospheric pressure. Low lying coastal areas are especially at risk of being inundated by the ocean. Cardwell experienced a 5m high storm surge, 2.3m higher than normal astrological tides.