Summary
(Note that this summary is based on preliminary information, and will be updated at a later date when a more thorough analysis of data and impacts has been completed)
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ingrid caused significant impact on the Australian coast in March 2005. It was unusual in that it is the only cyclone in recorded history to impact, as a severe tropical cyclone, on the coastline of three different States or Territories. It crossed the Queensland east coast south of Lockhart River as a Category 4; impacted on Croker Island, the Cobourg Peninsula and the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory as category four or five cyclone; and finally impacted the West Australian Kimberly coast at Faraway Bay as a Category 5 cyclone. (Note Category 5 is the strongest cyclone category).
Ingrid was a small cyclone in size, but very intense, not unlike Cyclone Tracy that devastated Darwin in 1974. For this reason, communities more than 100 km from Ingrid's path (like Darwin) were affected only slightly. Also, while some significant rainfall was reported, (eg 445mm in 24 hours at Emma Gorge in the Kimberley) the amounts were not as remarkable as those reported after some other larger, but less intense cyclones in the past.
Large sea swells generated by the cyclone in the Coral Sea caused a boat to capsize near Kerema in Papua New Guinea, resulting in the loss of five lives. Despite the widespread impact area of this cyclone, and the wind strengths experienced, there have been no reports of serious injury or death in Australia. Also, as the communities had all received good warning, much preparation, including the clearing of loose materials around the populated areas, reduced the final damage toll.
Track
On 3 March a tropical low developed north of the Gulf of Carpentaria, then drifted eastwards into the Coral Sea. It developed into a tropical cyclone on 6 March and turned back towards the Queensland coast as it rapidly intensified, reaching Category 5 at 9am on 8 March. Over the next week, the cyclone followed a relatively straight course to the west-northwest, then west, albeit with an obvious oscillation in its movement. It crossed Cape York Peninsula into the Gulf of Carpentaria on 10 March, temporarily weakening over land, but gathered strength again as it headed for the NE corner of the Territory. It passed just north of Nhulunbuy on the morning of 12 March, and then travelled along the north coast of the Top End and the Tiwi Islands before moving offshore into the Timor Sea. At this stage, it changed direction towards the southwest, ploughing into the Kimberley coast near Kalumburu on the evening of 15 March. It weakened as it moved inland, finally decaying below cyclone strength on the morning of 17 March near Wyndham.
Impact
The cyclone crossed Cape York Peninsula at a remote location, avoiding the local townships of Lockhart River and Coen, but vegetation was stripped bare near the crossing point. There was a significant storm tide observed on the east coast.
Communities along the north coast of the Northern Territory were not so lucky. Widespread tree damage and moderate damage to infrastructure was reported along the Arnhem Land coast. Six ships in a local pearling fleet were sunk or damaged. Widespread damage was reported at Croker Island, North Goulburn Island and over the Cobourg Peninsula, with vegetation on the peninsula stripped of its leaves. The cyclone had weakened slightly before reaching the Tiwi Islands, so damage to buildings was limited although vegetation, powerlines and similarly exposed structures did suffer significant damage. Darwin was spared the major wrath of the cyclone with gusty winds and rain only causing minor problems with unstable trees.
In Western Australia, the cyclone devastated the remote resort of "Faraway Bay", northeast of Kalumburu. Vegetation was stripped, and most of the buildings were destroyed. The accompanying storm tide deposited boats about 100 metres inland and several metres above the usual high tide mark. Luckily the resort was closed for the off-season and the caretakers took shelter in a shipping container secured in concrete to withstand cyclones. At Kalumburu several houses were unroofed but in general structures withstood the cyclone. Floodwaters cut the Great Northern Highway near Kununurra and isolated some properties.
Rainfall
The map below shows rainfall during the week ending 9am on 18 March 2005. The effects of Ingrid in the NT and WA can be seen. The cyclone had cleared Queensland at the beginning of this period, however rainfall in Queensland due to the cyclone had been less significant.
Rainfall
438mm at Truscott Island in the 24 hours until 9am on 16 March, including 341.2mm in four hours
East Coast Landfall Parameters
When: 5:00am on Thursday 10 March (close to mid-tide)
Where: 60 km SSE of Lockhart River (near Bobardt Point)
Severity Category: 4
Estimated Maximum Wind Gusts: 240 km/h
Estimated Central Pressure: 960 hPa
Estimated Storm Surge: several metres plus wave set-up of about 0.5 metre
Eye Radius: 15 km
Radius of Maximum Winds: 20 km
Radius of Very Destructive Winds: 25 km
Radius of Destructive Winds: 30 km
Satellite Images
Radar Images
Weipa radar at 21:30UTC on March 9, 2005.
Darwin radar at 06:30UTC on March 13, 2005.
Wyndham radar at 09:00UTC on March 15, 2005.
Impact Photos
Faraway Bay Resort after Tropical Cyclone Ingrid
The Cobourg Peninsula after Ingrid. The notable feature is that all the trees are defoliated. Credit: Bill Milne, Bureau of Meteorology.
The Dunham River crossing on the Great Northern Highway (in the Kimberley) in flood on March 17, 2005. Image courtesy of FESA State Emergency Service.
Photo taken at the area of highest storm surge and strongest winds. If the bark of a tree is strong, bark stripping can indicate that Category 4 strength winds were experienced.
Credit: Peter Otto, Bureau of Meteorology.
