Cyclone Tracy - 1974

Darwin

The Aftermath

An ill-wind…..• In the early hours of December 25, 1974, a small but

exceptionally intense cyclone, codenamed “Tracy”, passed slowly and directly across the city of Darwin. The destruction it caused was the worst suffered at that time by an Australian city. It was turned into a ruin; dislocated, without essential services; its survivors shocked, bereaved and mostly lacking even basic shelter; the majority of the population had to be evacuated. Between 50% and 60% of its 11,000 houses and flats were damaged beyond repair with only a few hundred left more or less intact. Before the cyclone, Darwin was a vigorous, growing city with a population of about 48,000.

• (DRC first annual report, 1975)

THE END

That’s all folks.