History of Severe storms in Australia in Timeline
Severe storms in Australia, encompassing events like cyclones, have resulted in significant damage across the country. These storms are a recurring natural hazard, impacting various regions and communities. The severity and frequency of these events pose ongoing challenges for disaster preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and public safety. Understanding the characteristics and patterns of these storms is crucial for effective mitigation strategies and minimizing their impact on the Australian population and environment.
March 1907: Cyclone in the Exmouth Gulf
In March 1907, a cyclone in the Exmouth Gulf destroyed 15 pearling luggers, 2 schooners, and five Japanese people drowned.
January 1918: Mackay Cyclone strikes North Queensland coast
In late January 1918, the Mackay Cyclone struck Mackay and surrounding regions, bringing storm surge and flooding. Approximately 1300 homes in Mackay were destroyed or severely damaged.
March 1918: Innisfail Cyclone
In March 1918, a strong cyclone and storm surge crossed the coast at Innisfail, causing desolation at Cairns, Babinda, and the Atherton Tableland. The barometric pressure was recorded at 926 hectopascals, but estimates suggest pressures below 900 hpa at the eye. 37 people died in Innisfail, and an estimated 40-60 Aboriginals died in outlying areas. Only 12 houses remained unscathed in Innisfail.
March 1934: Northern Queensland Cyclone
In March 1934, a cyclone in Northern Queensland resulted in the deaths of 99 people over two days.
December 1946: Previous record at Archerfield
On 15 December 2023, a fast-moving severe thunderstorm struck South East Queensland producing a wind gust of 169 kilometres per hour over Archerfield Airport. The winds beat the previous record set at Archerfield of 143 kilometres per hour set back in December 1946.
January 1947: Sydney hailstorm
On January 1, 1947, Sydney was struck by a severe hailstorm. The 1947 Sydney hailstorm, which developed over the Blue Mountains, was the most severe storm to hit the city since 1792.
February 1954: Gold Coast Cyclone and Lismore Floods
In February 1954, a cyclone struck the Gold Coast, resulting in four deaths. Resulting floods around Lismore in Northern New South Wales led to a further 22 deaths.
1954: Coolest February since 1954
In February 2005, the cold air associated with an intense low-pressure system over Eastern Bass Strait assisted in Victoria having its coolest February since 1954.
January 1971: Severe storm causes flash-flooding in Canberra
In January 1971, a severe storm caused flash-flooding on the Woden Valley freeway in Canberra. Culverts were blocked with debris, and several cars were swept away, resulting in seven deaths, fifteen injuries, and affecting 500 people. The 1971 Canberra flood caused an estimated $9 million in insurance damage, necessitating significant rectification work.
1973: Wettest February since 1973
In February 2005, Victoria had the wettest February since February 1973. The intense low-pressure system over Eastern Bass Strait brought substantial rainfall to Southern NSW, South Australia, and Tasmania.
December 1974: Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin
From December 24 to 25, 1974, Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin, killing 65 people and destroying over 90 percent of Darwin's buildings. Most of Darwin's population was evacuated.
January 1985: Worst storm since January 1985
On 27 November 2014, a mesoscale convective system hit Brisbane. It was described as the worst storm to hit Brisbane since 18 January 1985.
1990: Tornado injures five in Chisholm
In 1990, a tornado in Chisholm injured five people, destroyed a wooden church, and damaged 37 houses.
January 1991: Supercell thunderstorms hit Sydney's Northern Suburbs
On January 21, 1991, supercell thunderstorms moved across the Northern Suburbs of Sydney. Strong winds and large hail caused extensive damage, with some areas receiving over 35 millimeters of rain in 6 minutes. More than 7,000 houses were damaged, resulting in an estimated insurance payout of A$215 million.
November 1996: Severe storm affects 27,000 people in Canberra
In November 1996, a severe storm affected 27,000 people across the Australian Capital Territory.
April 1999: Sydney Hailstorm
On April 14, 1999, a severe hailstorm hit Sydney, causing damage from Bundeena to Darling Point. Hail up to 8 to 9 centimeters in circumference damaged over 20,000 properties, 40,000 vehicles, and 25 aircraft at Sydney Airport. As of 1999, it was Australia's most costly natural disaster.
2000: Melbourne Supercell Storm
Around 3:00pm, a storm cell formed just north of Melton and within 30 minutes grew into a supercell headed straight for Melbourne's western suburbs. There were reports of large hail causing significant damage to property, transport, and infrastructure. Tornadoes hit Fiskville and Melton. The storm resulted in significant calls to SES, power outages, airport closure, and an estimated damage bill of A$100 million.
November 2001: Severe storm in Hunter Region, Sydney and central western regions
In November 2001, a severe storm in the Hunter Region, Sydney, and central western regions resulted in three deaths and fifty injuries.
December 2003: Melbourne Severe Weather Event
From 1 to 6 December 2003, a severe weather event occurred over Melbourne and surrounding areas of Victoria, resulting in tornadoes. There was extremely heavy rainfall, with some areas recording more than 100mm of rain in two hours, causing flash flooding.
2003: 2003 Canberra bushfires
The text mentions the 2003 Canberra bushfires as a point of comparison to the severity of the storms that occurred in December 2005. The 2003 Canberra bushfires were a significant event affecting Canberra.
February 2005: Intense Low-Pressure System over Eastern Bass Strait
In February 2005, an unusually intense low-pressure system developed over Eastern Bass Strait. Southern NSW, South Australia, and Tasmania received substantial rainfall, with the highest rainfalls concentrated in Victoria. February 2005 was Victoria's wettest February since 1973 and its coolest since 1954.
February 2005: Widespread storm across Southern Eastern States
On February 1–2, 2005, a widespread storm across the Southern Eastern States caused three deaths and twelve injuries, with an estimated damage bill of $216.7 million.
December 2005: Light aircraft crash west of Condobolin during storms
In December 2005, a Piper Chieftain light aircraft crashed west of Condobolin during storms, killing Peter Menegazzo and his wife.
December 2005: Heavy storms hit Canberra and NSW region
On December 2, 2005, heavy storms, possibly including a tornado, struck Canberra and the surrounding New South Wales region. These were the worst emergency to hit Canberra since the 2003 bushfires. The storms caused extensive damage to houses and property, and one man was killed by a falling tree in Curtin. The damage in Fyshwick was estimated at A$3–4 million, and the total damage across the city was approximately A$15 million.
2005: Severe storm struck Melbourne in 2005
A severe storm struck Melbourne in 2005. It was comparable to the severe weather event in 2003, which the Australian Bureau of Meteorology called a "once in 100 year event".
December 2006: Severe thunderstorm hits southern Canberra
On December 31, 2006, a major thunderstorm, the third in three days, caused havoc in the southern part of Canberra, including inner suburbs and Tuggeranong.
February 2007: Flash flooding in Canberra after supercell storm
Following the supercell storm, on February 28, 2007, many homes in Canberra experienced flash flooding due to storm water infrastructure failure or mud slides from cleared land. February 2007 had a record number of thunderstorms.
February 2007: Supercell storm hits Canberra City
On February 27, 2007, a supercell storm hit Canberra City, with hail covering the ground up to 20 centimeters and creating 1 meter high drifts in Civic. The ice was so heavy it caused the roof of a new shopping center to collapse. Birds were killed and people were stranded.
June 2007: East coast low causes major disruption
In early June 2007, a major storm known as an east coast low caused major disruption in the Hunter Region, Central Coast and Sydney, killing 9 people. The storm caused extensive damage and major flooding in the lower-Hunter River region, including Maitland. The Pasha Bulker ran aground off Newcastle's Nobbys Beach on June 8 due to the swell.
November 2008: Brisbane Thunderstorm
In November 2008, Brisbane was hit by a thunderstorm with wind gusts up to 130 kilometers per hour, causing flooding. Areas were declared disaster zones. In The Gap, roofs were lifted off houses, trees were uprooted, and cars were destroyed by falling debris.
February 2010: Black nor'easter causes flash flooding in Sydney
Beginning on February 12, 2010, some regions of Sydney were inundated by strong rain and flash flooding from a Black nor'easter. Some areas were declared natural disaster zones. The State Emergency Service received over 1,500 distress calls, and damages exceeded A$6 million in western regions.
March 2010: Perth Hail Storm
On 22 March 2010, a hail storm struck Perth with golf ball sized hail, gale-force winds up to 120 kilometers per hour, and 40 millimetres of rain. Frequent lightning strikes bought 120,000 homes without power with mudslides wrecking several homes.
December 2010: Queensland Severe Weather Events
In December 2010, a series of severe weather events began to affect Queensland, Australia.
2010: Severe storm struck Melbourne in 2010
A severe storm struck Melbourne in 2010. It was comparable to the severe weather event in 2003, which the Australian Bureau of Meteorology called a "once in 100 year event".
January 2011: Queensland Severe Weather Events Continue
In January 2011, the series of severe weather events that began in December 2010 continued to affect Queensland, Australia.
December 2011: Severe Thunderstorms around Melbourne
In the days preceding 25 December 2011, warm, moist northerly airflow across Victoria lead to high moisture levels and unstable conditions. On Christmas Day, an upper-level trough approaching from the west lead to strong low-level shear, allowing the unstable atmosphere to develop a number of supercells around the Melbourne area.
2011: Above average rainfall and flash flooding in Sydney
During summer 2011–2012, Sydney experienced above average rainfall, leading to multiple flash flooding events and rivers breaking their banks. These conditions occured due to sustained rain periods.
November 2012: Severe Storm in Ballarat
On 30 November 2012, Ballarat experienced a severe storm with heavy rain and hail, and strong winds. The storm damaged and flooded homes, sent roofs flying, and destroyed some homes in Mt. Clear.
2012: Above average rainfall and flash flooding in Sydney
During summer 2011–2012, Sydney experienced above average rainfall, leading to multiple flash flooding events and rivers breaking their banks. These conditions occured due to sustained rain periods.
November 2014: Brisbane Mesoscale Convective System
On 27 November 2014, Brisbane was hit by a Mesoscale convective system which brought wind gusts up to 141 kilometers per hour and hailstones up to 8 centimeters in diameter. The storm caused over A$1 billion in damage. There was widespread flooding and hail damage.
April 2015: East coast low causes severe rainfall and cyclonic winds
From April 20 to 22, 2015, the Hunter, Central Coast, and Sydney regions experienced severe rainfall and 'cyclonic winds' from an east coast low, leading to flash flooding and rivers breaking their banks. Four people were killed in flash flooding, and many homes and businesses were without power.
January 2016: Severe rainfall impacts multiple regions
Between January 4 and 6, 2016, severe rainfall impacted the Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney, Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, and Snowy Mountains regions. Raymond Terrace was evacuated due to flooding of the Hunter River.
June 2016: Severe weather batters East Coast of Australia
Between June 3 and 5, 2016, severe weather battered the East Coast of Australia, including Brisbane, South East Queensland, far North NSW, the Northern Rivers, and Sydney. Flash flooding was recorded along the coast, and more than 3,000 calls were received across NSW. The deaths of four people were attributed to the storms.
November 2016: Melbourne Thunderstorm Asthma Event
On 21 November 2016, Melbourne experienced a thunderstorm asthma event which killed 9 people. The hot, windy conditions on the evening of the storm led to the spread of fine grass pollen particles, which sparked asthma symptoms in thousands of people across the city.
December 2018: Gold Coast Supercell Storms
On 22 December 2018, the Gold Coast was hit with supercell storms producing hail the size of golf balls and damaging winds.
January 2020: Severe storm with large hail hits Canberra
On January 20, 2020, a severe storm struck Canberra with golf-ball sized hailstones and winds over 110 kilometers per hour. Many vehicles were badly damaged, resulting in over 50,000 insurance claims and a declared catastrophe. The storm cost over A$500,000,000, cut power to 1,000 homes, damaged CSIRO greenhouses, and damaged the Shine Dome.
January 2020: Severe storm hits NSW and ACT
On January 20, 2020, a severe storm struck New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Roofs were blown off, trains were halted, and people were trapped in vehicles. The event was declared a catastrophe by the National Insurance Council. The cost of the storm in the ACT alone was over A$500,000,000.
August 2020: Severe Storms across Melbourne and Southern Victoria
On 27 August 2020, there were severe storms across Melbourne and southern Victoria. 3 people were killed. 200,000 residents in 101 suburbs were put under a boil water notice which was lifted 4 days later.
October 2020: South East Queensland Supercell Thunderstorm
On 31 October 2020, a supercell thunderstorm impacted most of South East Queensland, with giant hail up to 14cm. The supercell caused over $980 million dollars in insurance costs and had 296,000 lightning strikes.
October 2021: Severe thunderstorms form over Blue Mountains and move towards Sydney
On October 14, 2021, multiple severe thunderstorms formed over the Blue Mountains and moved east towards Sydney. A tornado warning was issued, but no tornado eventuated. The roof of a shopping mall collapsed in Mount Druitt due to rainfall.
January 2022: Power supercell thunderstorm impacts Canberra
On January 3, 2022, a power supercell thunderstorm impacted Canberra. It began in Tuggeranong, prompting a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and large hailstones. As the storm moved over West Belconnen, the Bureau of Meteorology updated their warning to include giant hailstones.
December 2023: Severe Thunderstorm in South East Queensland
On 15 December 2023, a severe thunderstorm struck South East Queensland producing a wind gust of 169 kilometres per hour over Archerfield Airport. The same storm caused hailstones and heavy rainfall. The storm resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man and power loss to 19,000 properties.
