| Cyclone Althea |
Article Index for Cyclone |
Website Links For Cyclone |
Information AboutCyclone Althea |
Tropical Cyclone Althea was a category 4 cyclone when it hit Magnetic Island and Townsville in North Queensland on December 24 1971 . Althea produced peak gust wind speeds between 123 and 145 miles per hour (197 and 233 km/h). Three people died and property damage was estimated at AU$115 million loss (1990 value). On Magnetic Island 90% of the houses were damaged or destroyed. In Townsville houses were lifted from their stumps and most trees stripped of foliage. Although there was a dangerous storm surge associated with TC Althea (between 2.8 and 3.6 metres) little flooding occurred because the cyclone made landfall on a low tide. However, the combination of storm surge and wave action demolished The Strand sea wall and houses in low-lying areas were inundated with up to 0.6 metres of water. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|