Darwin cyclone history

08 8980 3616. From Cyclone Tracy and Yasi to the worst natural disaster in Australian history - Cyclone Mahina. Dec 24, 2020 · A 1986 mini-series named Cyclone Tracy took place during the storm, and numerous songs have been written about life in Darwin during and after the cyclone. Since Cyclone Tracy all buildings are constructed to a strict cyclone code. Visualise the bombing of Darwin and the effects of Cyclone Tracy. 13 ships, 11 aircraft, and 3,000 personnel were sent to Darwin in the largest disaster relief operation undertaken by the RAN in its history. The city of Darwin, located in the Northern Territory of Australia, is known for its vibrant culture, stunning natural scenery, and fascinating history. Our Mar 28, 2023 · DBA Cyclones – U14 Girls Trials. It is the most compact cyclone or equivalent-strength hurricane on record in the Australian basin, with gale-force winds extending only 48 kilometres (30 mi) from the centre and was the most compact system worldwide until 2008 when Tropical Storm Feb 12, 2024 · Monsoon causes heavy rainfall, flooding in Darwin suburbs, as Gulf of Carpentaria braces for possible cyclone By Samantha Dick Posted Mon 12 Feb 2024 at 7:31am Monday 12 Feb 2024 at 7:31am Mon 12 Cyclone Tracy Stories. IT is 46 years since the Territory's most devastating cyclone – Cyclone Tracy – laid waste to the city of Darwin. Almost 500 tonnes of waste have been collected from verges across Darwin, supporting the community in preparing for cyclone season. 16 June First Darwin Beer Can Regatta. But Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim said a further $100,000 is still to be allocated for 40th anniversary Cyclone Tracy was a disaster on a scale unparalleled in Australian history. Open daily: 10am – 4pm. Our tropical climate and geographical location means that tropical cyclones can threaten the Darwin region. gov. At least 90 per cent of homes in Darwin were demolished or badly damaged. Cyclones team & reserves announced below: *In alphabetical order of surname. Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that destroyed the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974. Visit MAGNT 10am–4pm every day. Before the catastrophic events of Cyclone Tracy in 1974, Darwin was a bustling port city that had grown and developed over decades of settlement and trade. Dec 24, 2019 · Cyclone Tracy made landfall in Darwin 45 years ago and was one of Australia's most significant natural disasters Survivors have reported symptoms of PTSD decades after the event, with many Feb 12, 2024 · Monsoon causes heavy rainfall, flooding in Darwin suburbs, as Gulf of Carpentaria braces for possible cyclone By Samantha Dick Posted Mon 12 Feb 2024 at 7:31am Monday 12 Feb 2024 at 7:31am Mon 12 25 Dec 1974. Jul 14, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by ๏̯͡๏ Hilko Feb 4, 2011 · CYCLONE YASI, A CATEGORY 5 monster, collided with Queensland‘s Mission Beach on 3 February. 19 Conacher Street. At least 65 people were killed, and many thousands injured. During the Second World War, the Japanese carried out air raids on Darwin. Magazine-styled website about contemporary culture, politics, and business history, crafted to engage readers on topics ranging from civil rights history to the power of the entertainment industry, environmental politics, sports history, music, film, and the media. au//cyclone/about/eastern. Cyclone Tracy is the most compact hurricane or equivalent-strength tropical cyclone on record in the Australian basin, with gale-force winds extending only 48 km (30 mi) from the center, and was the most compact system worldwide until 2008 when Tropical Storm Marco The cyclone season officially commences on 1 November and ceases on 30 April, but cyclonic events have been known to occur outside this period. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. It crossed the NT coast as a category one system about 11pm Northern Territory time. His proposition that all species of life have descended from a common ancestor is now generally accepted and As the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy approaches, "Cyclone Warriors" unveils the untold story of the Australian Defence Forces and the emergency services heroic efforts in the largest evacuation in the nation's history, battling against the carnage from nature's fury to rebuild Darwin from the ruins. Mar 18, 2018 · Darwin residents are in clean-up mode and tens of thousands are without power or drinkable water after the strongest cyclone to hit the city in 30 years caused widespread destruction. The original custom was that only female names were used; the use of male names did not begin until 1975. Jan 10, 2024 · BOM is forecasting a 25 per cent chance of a cyclone forming in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf over the weekend, covering an area from just south of Darwin across into Western Australia's Kimberley region. Write a review. Cochrane, and disaster relief administrator Donald G. Our Remembering Cyclone Tracy Inc. Experience the adventure of soaring 1000ft above Darwin - the capital of the Northern Territory of Australia, situated on the Timor Sea. The small, developing, easterly storm was originally expected to pass clear of the city, but it would turn towards it early on 24 December. Cyclones usually affect coastal areas up to 50km inland from the sea, so whether you live in the city or the rural area, learning to protect yourself, your family and your property from cyclones can This clip shows the extensive destruction in the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy, one of the worst natural disasters in Australian history, which devastated Darwin on Christmas Eve in 1974. Unfortunately, within a couple of days of the storm’s formation, it became a mighty Jan 1, 1980 · SUMMARY. Australian region tropical cyclone warnings, forecasts, seasonal outlooks, cyclone history, climatology and related information Apr 30, 2022 · Tropical Cyclone Tracy is arguably the most significant tropical cyclone in Australia's history accounting for 71 lives, the destruction of 80% of Darwin and profoundly affecting the Australian Dec 25, 1974 · Remembering cyclone Tracy: Lessons from a ‘perfect storm’ | Bureau of Meteorology When tropical cyclone Tracy crossed Darwin in the early hours of Christmas Day 1974, thousands of people’s lives were instantly and irrevocably changed—and a new chapter was born in Australian history. The storm affected Australia for most of its life. Environment. This flight will highlight our tropical city and landscape beyond. Carlos was first spotted on 14 February near Batchelor and intensified to a Category 3 cyclone on 22 February. Modern Darwin . was established to ensure the voices of the survivor community are heard and respected during the 50th anniversary. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. Many of the Cyclone Tracy Stories we receive are obviously written simply because Cyclone Tracy has had a powerful influence on all Australians - even those who were never in Darwin in 1974. Having been rebuilt after the war, Darwin was devastated again in 1974 when Cyclone Tracy struck, killing 71 people and wiping out most of the city’s buildings. Generally tracking westward, the system eventually Severe Tropical Cyclone Carlos. Witness the aftermath of Cyclone Tracy as thousands are left homeless and lives are lost in the catastrophic event that struck Darwin on Christmas Day in 1974. City of Darwin’s Pre-Cyclone Clean Up verge collections have officially finished for another year, with Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis praising the efforts of residents. It is the most compact tropical cyclone on record in Australia, with the gale force winds reaching out only 48 km (30 mi) from the centre. bom. The city was devastated by the cyclone. It also exposed inadequacies in Commonwealth responses to disasters of its magnitude (Robertson 1999, 55). 14 February The historic schooner Booya sunk due to the cyclone. Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said Despite being one of the smallest tropical cyclones ever recorded, Cyclone Tracy had a devastating impact when it hit land in the early hours of Christmas Day in 1974. Sources: bom. In late December 1974, a small tropical storm formed near Northern Australia during the southern hemisphere’s summer. Many trees fell on buildings and cars. 5 days ago · Charles Darwin, the renowned British naturalist and father of evolutionary theory, revolutionized our understanding of life on Earth through his groundbreaking work "On the Origin of Species," forever changing how we view ourselves and all living organisms. The cyclone season in Northern Australia begins on 1 November and extends until April. Mar 17, 2018 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Cyclone Tracy is the most compact hurricane or equivalent-strength tropical cyclone on record in the Australian basin, with gale-force winds extending only 48 km (30 mi) from the center, and was the most compact system worldwide until 2008 when Tropical Storm Marco A satellite city of Palmerston was built 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Darwin in the early 1980s. Lyons Cottages were built in 1925 and Old Admiralty House was built in 1937. #2 of 99 things to do in Darwin. Location: Darwin Basketball Stadium. After the disaster, an airlift evacuated 30,000 people, which was the biggest airlift in Australia's history. 1975 January 25,000 people evacuated from Darwin in six days after Cyclone Tracy. It was Christmas Eve and not even a rogue storm had the Tropical cyclone Marcus, 2018. The storm brought hurricane-force winds to Ireland the with the Met Office and Met Éireann describing the storm as one of the most significant to affect Ireland, Wales and West England in recent decades. Team: Leon Ajisafe. It's the smallest and most northerly of all Australian capital cities. The program aims to recognise the significant impact of Cyclone Tracy on the Darwin community and assist The 2013–14 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly below-average tropical cyclone season, with 10 tropical cyclones occurring within the Australian region. The RAN task force was present The Darwin Hospital was a former hospital that was located at Myilly Point in Larrakeyah, an inner suburb of Darwin, Northern Territory in Australia. After Darwin was devastated by Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Eve of 1974, the RAAF led the effort to go to the city’s relief. 30pm. MAGNT Darwin. The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to tropical cyclones : Tropical cyclone – storm characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produces strong winds and heavy rain. Dec 24, 2020 · Cyclone history: The biggest systems to lash the Northern Territory. It is the second most compact cyclone in the 3,620 reviews. 30pm – 7. Feb 25, 2022 · A tropical low off the Top End coast near Darwin has moved slightly west overnight, as authorities watch for the chance it could develop into a category two cyclone over the coming days. Cyclone Tracy Death List. 64 billion 2019 Jan 1, 2022 · In the 1950s and 1960s, the city of Darwin experienced sustained development and spatial expansion towards northern neighbourhoods such as Alawa, Nightcliff, Winnellie, and Rapid Creek. Ellie brought gales with gusts of up to 110kph to Since Gretel was a weak cyclone, no significant storm surges were recorded. Prior to contemporary naming conventions, the storm became known as the " Great Hurricane ". It remains Australia’s most destructive cyclone, with winds of around 250km/h. Ellie brought gales with gusts of up to 110kph to Jan 1, 2011 · Cyclone Tracy in Darwin were collated including 25 people interviewed in April and May 2011 and 12 transcripts from the Oral History Unit at the Northern Territory Archive Service. By 1939 Darwin was still only a small settlement with a population of about 2,000. Water. The Captain of the Beagle, John Lort Stokes, discovered the habour in 1839 and named it after a former shipmate, British evolutionist Charles Darwin. It was the second public hospital to be built in the city, replacing a facility that had originally opened in 1874 nearby on Packard Street, Larrakeyah. Feb 13, 2024 · Tuesday, 3. No casualties were reported, however tree damage around Darwin was widespread. Initially, given its size and expected trajectory, concern was low. (NO basketballs) A satellite city of Palmerston was built 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Darwin in the early 1980s. Tropical cyclones in this area are monitored by five Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC's): Jakarta, Port Moresby, Perth, Darwin, and Brisbane, each of which have the power to name a tropical cyclone. . About. Delve into local history at Darwin’s museums and learn about everything from Aboriginal art and culture to WWII and the story of Cyclone Tracy. During this time many cyclones will form, though few will cause much destruction. From www. Closed now. [1] The hospital had a short but eventful history, being extensively damaged by air-raids Darwin was the scene of the biggest airlift in Australian history after Cyclone Tracy devastated the city in the early hours of Christmas Day 1974. It is considered the worst cyclone to strike the Northern Territory of Australia prior to Cyclone Tracy in 1974. The fourth named storm of the 2007–08 Australian region cyclone season, Helen developed out of a weak area of low pressure in late December over the Top End region of Australia. For the fortieth anniversary of the nation’s most iconic natural disaster, Sophie Cunningham has gone Dec 22, 2022 · The BOM has declared the formation of Tropical Cyclone Ellie. While people across Australia were unwrapping presents and tucking into Christmas lunch, in Darwin tens of Cyclone Tracy was a tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, 1974. Eugene Haas, economist Harold C. Mar 21, 2024 · Ms Gamble said ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan, now a tropical low, was located in the Gregory district on Thursday afternoon and was expected to move out of the Northern Territory and in to West Oct 5, 2023 · 05 October 2023. Drifting east-south-east, north of the Tiwi Islands, the low developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone Feb 2, 2011 · Cyclone Tracy, 1974: Category 4, Australia's most destructive. By world standards, Tracy was a small but intense tropical cyclone at landfall, the radius of gale force The 1897 cyclone was a tropical cyclone that destroyed the city of Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. The vast storm was spinning at wind speeds of 295 km/h – and, at its greatest extent, the main part of the storm spanned 650 km, making it one of the biggest in Australian history. Darwin has a significant Indigenous population, with the Larrakia people being the traditional owners of the area, and Aboriginal people making up a significant proportion of the Darwin Cemetery links to History Visit a Darwin Cemetery to connect with the history of Darwin through early settlement, the bombing of Darwin and the destruction caused by cyclone Tracy. October Price control on petrol introduced in the Darwin area. Darwin’s monsoon returned with a vengeance on Jun 16, 2023 · The story of Cyclone Tracy and the many Australian airlines involved. 3 million USD in damages. A total of 48 recorded tropical cyclones have peaked at Category 5 strength in the Australian region, which is denoted as the part of the Southern Hemisphere between 90°E and 160°E. The Darwin City History timeline is short and dramatic and includes the Overland Telegraph, gold, crocodiles, world war bombings, uranium, cyclone Tracy and a population of hardy pioneers. On 19 February 1942, at 9:57 am, during World War II The Story of Cyclone Tracy was written by Jeff Williams. Mar 14, 2021 · However, in 1897 Darwin was damaged by a cyclone. Speciality Museums. Dec 22, 2022 · The BOM has declared the formation of Tropical Cyclone Ellie. The practice of naming cyclones began in 1964. Free entry. Destruction in Darwin following Cyclone Tracy in 1974. au-----Story Image: Cyclone Tracy seen by the ESSA-8 satellite on December 25, 1974 (NASA/Wikimedia Commons). Although the RAAF Base had not been spared in the destruction, as soon as the storm abated its personnel immediately set to work clearing debris from runways to allow limited operations to be restored. Darwin was established in 1869 and has been rebuilt four times due to cyclones and war-related damage, including the devastating impact of Cyclone Tracy in 1974. The practice of naming cyclones began in Jul 22, 2014 · When Cyclone Tracy swept down on Darwin at Christmas 1974, the weather became not just a living thing but a killer. There is no doubt that wandering through any of the five Darwin cemeteries provides an insight into the lives of the people who have contributed to the city Dec 25, 2021 · Late in the day the cyclone watch was upgraded to a warning for communities from Point Stuart, north east of Darwin, to the NT/WA border. Historians have struggled to find facts to back up the It’s hard to believe that December 25 next year will be the 50th anniversary of the night Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin and left so many of us with memories we would rather forget. Oct 30, 2018 · Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, is a bustling city with a fascinating history, which stretches back thousands of years. Tropical cyclones develop or strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air The Australian region is defined as being to the south of the equator, between the 90th meridian east and 160th meridian east. Drifting east-south-east, north of the Tiwi Islands, the low developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone Charles Robert Darwin FRS FRGS FLS FZS JP [6] ( / ˈdɑːrwɪn / [7] DAR-win; 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, [8] widely known for his contributions to evolutionary biology. 30pm: The Bureau of Meteorology believes there is a “moderate risk” for a tropical cyclone forming over the Top End later this week. Planning is underway for a program of activities, events and interactive projects throughout November and December 2024 with an official commemorative ceremony scheduled for 30 November 2024. 00pm. Visit Darwin's premier cultural institution for world-class exhibitions featuring Aboriginal art, Northern Territory history including Cyclone Tracy, natural sciences and more. Thousands of trees were damaged or brought down. Feb 23, 2016 · Northern Australia was hit by two cyclones within six hours on the same day in February 2015. Cyclone Tracy killed 66 people and injured thousands more. shtml#history. Most claims resulted from water damage, falling trees and minor Every single tree in Darwin was uprooted and stripped of its foliage, an indication of how intense the small storm really was. Around 430 powerlines were downed leaving some 26500 properties without power immediately after the cyclone. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the NT's premier cultural institution. Tropical Cyclone Tracy is arguably the most significant tropical cyclone in Australia's history accounting for 71 lives, the destruction of most of Darwin and profoundly affecting the Australian perspective to the tropical cyclone threat. 66 known dead. It caused millions of dollars in damage and destroyed most of Darwin (Chamberlain, Doube, Milne, Rolls & Western 1981, 97). She blew over a city hell bent on ignoring her. The population was evacuated by air and ground transportation; due to communications difficulties with Darwin airport landing was limited to one plane every ninety minutes. The MAGNT also organises the annual Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award , the longest-running Indigenous art award in Australia. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa crossed the east Pilbara coast at category 5 intensity just before midnight local time on Thursday 13 April 2023. It was the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2017–18 Australian region cyclone season, the strongest tropical cyclone in the Australian region basin since George in 2007 Operation Navy Help Darwin was a disaster relief operation initiated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) following the destruction of Darwin, Northern Territory by Cyclone Tracy during the night of 24–25 December 1974. The earliest tropical cyclone to be classified as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone was Pam which was classified as a Category 5 between February 3 – 5, 1974 Dated May 8, 1945. Session 1: 3rd April– 4. Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcus was a very powerful tropical cyclone that struck Australia's Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia in March 2018. Hear the devastating roar of the Category 4 Cyclone as it hits the town and learn about the day that changed the urban landscape and the lives of Darwin’s residents forever. Feb 2, 2011 · Tracy struck Darwin on Christmas morning in 1974. Australian region tropical cyclone warnings, forecasts, seasonal outlooks, cyclone history, climatology and related information. Feb 10, 2022 · The worst cyclones in Australia's history. Climate. The Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery (MAGNT) in Darwin gives an overview of the history of the area, including exhibits on Cyclone Tracy and the boats of the Pacific Islands. Offshore Tracy iIn 1974, Cyclone Tracy rolled into Darwin town unaided and uninvited. Cyclone Tracy. Cyclone Tracy was a defining moment in Darwin’s history. It reached tropical cyclone intensity at 0600 UTC 11 April (1400 AWST 11 April, AWST = UTC+8 hours Darwin, Northern Territory: History and Heritage. Tropical cyclone Marcus, 2018. The impact of this disaster can be measured, in retrospect; by outlining the nature of changes made in building practices and codes, by reviewing adjustments made by government and other institutions, and by examining the Dec 19, 2023 · We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Approximately 700 insurance claims totalling two million dollars were received as a result of Gretel passing close to Darwin. Tropical cyclone tracks for cyclones that formed or moved through the Eastern region from 1970 - 2004. It officially started on 1 November 2013, and ended on 30 April 2014. The Gardens, Darwin. In the days and weeks following the disaster, most of the traumatised population left the city. Reminders of both exist throughout the city centre, suburbs and surrounding region. Tracy destroyed an entire city, left seventy-one people dead and ripped the heart out of Australia’s season of goodwill. au, nccarf. Make MAGNT your first stop on a tour of Darwin’s museums for an all-encompassing education on all things Northern Territory. Mar 25, 2018 · Although Marcus was small in size, the tropical cyclone caused widespread and significant impacts over the Darwin area. Eddy describe the devastation wreaked by Cyclone Tracy, which hit the town on Christmas morning, 1974. The first air raid on Darwin was on 19 The region’s wartime heritage, and the lives lost, is remembered at heritage sites around Darwin, including bunkers, oil storage tunnels, cemeteries and museums. A visit to the Cyclone Tracy Exhibition at the Darwin Museum is still an emotional journey for many people at the realization of The deadliest cyclone to have its named retired was Cyclone Seroja in 2021, which killed 272 people in Indonesia, East Timor and Australia, while the most damaging system to have its name retired was Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy in 1974 which devastated the city of Darwin, leaving A$837 million (A$5. Shown in this NASA satellite image, Cyclone Lam made landfall about 400km east of Darwin around 2am on 19 February. Darwin Golf Club moves from Fannie Bay to Marrara to make room for a new arterial road. edu. On 28 February 1975 the Whitlam government established the Darwin Reconstruction Commission, which effectively rebuilt Severe Tropical Cyclone Tracy was a small tropical cyclone that devastated the city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia, in December 1974. 00pm – to 5. It hit the small northern city of Darwin in the early hours of Christmas Day with wind gusts of up to 250 km per hour, destroying or Dec 25, 2014 · It is Darwin folklore that right before Cyclone Tracy hit the city on Christmas Eve 1974, Aboriginal people had already deserted the town. On 15 March 2018, a tropical low formed in the Arafura Sea north of the Northern Territory; the Bureau of Meteorology issued a cyclone watch for Darwin, the Tiwi Islands and parts of the north-west Top End. By mid afternoon on Christmas Eve 1974, workplace staff parties were all the go in downtown Darwin. Dec 15, 2023 · As well as suffering substantial damage from Japanese bombs, Darwin has also had to deal with the ravages of natural phenomena. Sep 6, 2023 · Cyclone Tracy, which hit Darwin in the small hours of Christmas Day 1974, killed 71 people and devastated 80 per cent of the city. Severe Tropical Cyclone Carlos was a strong tropical cyclone that made landfall in Australia and resulted in $12. Session 2: 4th April – 5. Tropical Cyclone 7 Day forecast. Enjoy permanent exhibition highlights such as Cyclone Tracy, Natural History and Sweetheart, a famous croc as well as Summary. Forty-five vessels in the harbour were wrecked or damaged. A tropical low that formed in the Timor Sea on 6 April moved southwest and developed slowly. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Bearing the brunt of the cyclone, Darwin was left utterly devastated. Council's Emergency Operations Centre will be operational only when the Cyclone threat has passed, an 'all clear' is given, and it is safe for Council staff to return work. The team will be travelling to Melbourne, Victoria in September 2023, to compete at the Australian Junior Club Championships. A huge congratulations to everyone on a fantastic job in the 2023 Cyclones Boys program. 24-25 December Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin. 65 billion 2019 AUD; US$2. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan defines a "tropical cyclone year" separately from a "tropical Jul 1, 2023 · Share this article. Darwin and the north of Australia have felt the force of a cyclone on a number of occasions – the worst being in 1897, 1937 and 1974. Of a population of 43,000, more than half were left homeless, according to the Australian government. Steven Griffiths. As a Council we are one of a number of Every single tree in Darwin was uprooted and stripped of its foliage, an indication of how intense the small storm really was. Storm Darwin (also referred to as Cyclone Tini in Ireland) a European windstorm that Western Europe, particularly Ireland and the United Kingdom on 12 February 2014. Sociologist J. The cyclone watch for the coast between the border and Aug 13, 2021 · When Cyclone Tracy destroyed Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974, footage of the devastation shot by the ABC was the first vision released to the nation. Strongest cyclone, hurricanes and typhoons not always most damaging Aug 5, 2014 · The City of Darwin has so far handed out 10 grants for works related to Cyclone Tracy. As a result of air raids and cyclones, Darwin has few historic buildings although some of the stronger stone structures survived and have been restored. Nearly five years have passed since Cyclone “Tracy” devastated the City of Darwin on Christmas Day, 1974. Age Group: 2010 and 2011 (No other age group considered for trials or selection) Gear: Wear club uniform, closed sport shoes & bring water bottle. The cyclone raged from just after midnight until 7 am with winds exceeding 217 kilometres per hour (unofficial estimates were as high as 300 kilometres per hour). Tropical Cyclone Helen was the first tropical cyclone to bring gale-force winds to Darwin, Australia since 1985. However, once Cyclone Tracy hit Darwin on the Christmas Eve of 1974, the city experienced stagnation. Cyclone Marcia (bottom, right), which reached category 5, made landfall on the east coast of QLD around 8am. There are two events that have left an indelible mark on the city of Darwin; Cyclone Tracy and the bombing of the city during World War II by the Japanese. fr yw yo re wc yh so bo ym kr