- Jul 2, 2018
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Cyclone Larry approaching
Larry began as a low pressure system over the eastern Coral Sea that was monitored by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology from 16 March 2006. It formed into a tropical cyclone 1,150 kilometres off the coast of Queensland on Saturday 18 March 2006. Larry was a Category 2 cyclone in the Australian intensity scale when the cyclone watch commenced, and gradually intensified to a high Category 5 cyclone on that scale. The eye of Larry crossed the coast in between Gordonvale and Tully between 6:20am and 7:20am on 20 March 2006. According to preliminary data, the winds may have reached 290 kilometres per hour with gusts to 310–320 kilometres per hour.
Cyclone Larry making landfall
A 10-minute average wind speed of 200 km/h was reported in Innisfail during landfall, theoretically corresponding to 1-minute sustained winds of 232 km/h, and maximum wind gusts generally consistent with a Saffir-Simpson scale Category 5 storm.
At 1am Australian Eastern Standard Time on 21 March 2006, Larry was downgraded to a Tropical Low pressure system as it moved inland. Ex-tropical cyclone Larry was further tracked as it moved into western Queensland to the north of Mount Isa. Larry's short life as a cyclone is attributed to its speed; the system moved very quickly over the Coral Sea dissipating nearly 24 hours after landfall. Cyclone Larry was considered to be the worst cyclone to hit the coast of Queensland since 1931; consequently, the name "Larry" was retired.
Rain radar of Larry crossing the coast from the Townsville radar
Preliminary reports estimated the cost of loss and damage to domestic and commercial premises is to be in excess of half a billion dollars. After landfall, Tropical Cyclone Larry moved over north-western Queensland on 22–23 March 2006, with heavy rain across the region. Gereta Station, north of Mount Isa, recorded 583 mm of rain in the 48 hours to 9 am on 23 March 2006. Heavy flooding was reported along the Leichhardt River downstream, resulting in the inundation of some cattle properties.
Visible flooding on the Leichhardt, Flinders and Norman Rivers
One indirect fatality occurred when the storm caused a traffic accident near where it made landfall.
Cyclone Larry was regarded as the most powerful cyclone to affect Queensland in almost a century. According to Queensland state Counter Disaster Rescue Services executive director Frank Pagano, Cyclone Larry constituted "the most devastating cyclone that we could potentially see on the east coast of Queensland for decades ... there was great destruction." Premier of Queensland, Lawrence Springborg declared Larry a disaster situation, comparing it to Cyclone Tracy, giving local governments the authority to enforce mandatory evacuations.
Banana crops destroyed
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard said of Larry, "this cyclone is of an enormous magnitude," and reserved the resources of the Australian Defence Force for rescue efforts in the aftermath of the cyclone. She also promised grants of $10,000 to businesses affected by the cyclone.
An appeal fund was launched by the Queensland Government, with an initial donation of $100,000; the Commonwealth Bank initially donated $50,000, and then increased its contribution to $1 Million after examining the devastation. Premier Springborg asked "everyone to dig deep and help people who have suffered in the devastation wreaked by the cyclone."
Destruction of the Mourilyan sugar mill
Cairns Airport and harbour were closed, and all flights were suspended. Innisfail, where Larry made landfall, suffered severe damage. In Babinda, 30 kilometres north of Innisfail, up to 80% of buildings were damaged. The region's banana industry, which employs up to 6000 people, suffered extreme losses of crops, accounting for more than 80% of Australia's total banana crop. The Atherton Tablelands also received a great deal of damage from Cyclone Larry, with damage to buildings, and major disruptions to power, water and telephone services.
Other towns suffering damage included Silkwood (99% of homes damaged), Kurrimine Beach (30% of homes damaged), and Mission Beach (30% of homes damaged). Cairns, the largest city in the region affected by the cyclone, sustained minor structural damage, mostly comprising fallen power lines and houses damaged by fallen trees throughout the city. Light aircraft were flipped over at Cairns Airport.
A damage survey of buildings in the Innisfail region concluded that the majority of contemporary houses remained structurally intact, though many roller doors were destroyed. The report noted that the structures should have been able to withstand the cyclone, as the winds impacting the buildings were below the threshold required for meeting the region's building standards. Buildings constructed prior to the introduction of higher cyclone rating standards suffered comparatively more damage. In total 10,000 homes were damaged.
Destruction caused to the main street of Innisfail
A few hours after the immediate effects of the cyclone, the Australian Defence Force dispatched elements of the Townsville-based 3rd Brigade and 11th Brigade and the Cairns-based 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force including twelve C-27J Spartans and three Navy Balikpapan-class landing craft. This would be formally deployed under "Operation Larry Assist". Townsville-based 11th Combat Services Support Battalion coordinated emergency support at Innisfail Showgrounds, providing health care, environmental advice, fresh food and purified water (as well as testing local supplies), tarpaulins, bath and shower facilities, and up to 500 beds. The Cowley Beach Training Area near Mourilyan Harbour, 25 kilometres south of Innisfail, was significantly affected by the cyclone, and its use as a base by recovery teams was therefore limited.
