Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The facts

Location: Darwin

Date: 21-26 December 1974

length of time: Unknown

Deaths: 71

Injuries: Numerous involving broken bones, cuts from flying material, bruises, head concussion, severe wounds and mental damage.

Destruction: Houses destroyed, trees destroyed, people killed, people injured, environment destroyed, wildlife dead, buildings razed, roads destroyed and vehicles destroyed.





 

What caused it?


Cyclone Tracy.
Cyclone tracy was caused by a huge tropical depression which was a mass of clouds in the arafura which developed into a tropical storm. This storm was unpredictable and changed direction by 90 degrees, heading towards Darwin. This intense tropical storm changed and became a small but very powerful cyclone (what Australians call a hurricane).


Cyclone Tracy Movement


How do cyclones form?
 Cyclones are formed when warm moist air from the ocean is risen resulting in less air near the oceans surface which results in low air pressure. Regions above or around this low air pressure area have high air pressure and the high air pressure air rushes down to fix the low air pressure. Then the high air pressure moistens and becomes warm and rises up again. This cycle continues and as all the air rises it becomes cooler and develops into clouds, and eventually the cloud development turns into a storm and winds around it make the storm spiral creating a dangerous cyclone. The ocean keeps feeding this cyclone with heat and water evaporating to the sky.

 

Cyclone Development

Responses before or during event


The first official emergency response was done by the Northern Territory police. On the 24th of December the people of Northern Territory were getting prepared for cyclone Tracy to hit on the 25th of December. When the first damage reports came in the Northern Territory police were seeing to set up road blockages. The police were also assisting the community e.g.: when power lines fell down the police would be there directing people away. Many people had lost their homes, so they were using schools as shelter for people with no home. Many came to help with this event even the army. Using these heavy metal tanks gave police and military to search the areas for people or even bodies. Heading towards midnight and the police received numerous amounts of calls regarding to damage done to their property. By 1am Christmas day calls started to cease unless they were important, such as someone seriously injured or dying. During 2 pm of Christmas day the Commissioner held a leadership meeting. They were evaluating all the damage so they had another meeting 6pm Christmas Day.  10.20 PM on Christmas night Major-General Stretton arrived at Darwin airport. Close to midnight Major- General Stretton had met The Department of Northern Territory and planned for meetings. Early mornings of December 26th a leaders meeting was prepared, and for the next 5 days regular meeting were held under Stretton’s chairmanship. Due to Cyclone Tracy 71 people died and many were injured




How to improve response in future



before the cyclone season you must:
check that the walls, roof, and eaves of your house are secure tightly.
trim trees tops and branches.
fit shutters or metal screens to glass areas.
clear your property of loose materials that can blow away and cause injuries or damage.
know your nearest safe high ground and the safest and fastest route to it.
prepare an emergency kit which contains: a portable radio, torch, spare batteries, matches, fuel lamp, portable stove, cooking gear, eating utensils, first aid kit with manual, masking tape for windows and waterproof bags.
get a list of emergency phone numbers.
check neighbours preparedness.























When the cyclone strikes you must:
disconnect all electrical appliances and listen to battery radio for updates.
stay inside shelter clear of windows in the strongest part of the building.
if building starts to break protect yourselves with mattresses rugs or blankets under a table or bench.
wait for the official all clear.
if driving stop completely away from the sea trees powerlines and streams and do not exit vehicle until safe.

























After a cyclone:
don't go outside until the official all clear.
check for gas leakage and do not use electrical appliances if they are wet.
listen to your radio for warnings or advice.
if evacuation required use recommended route and don't rush.
beware of fallen power lines, collapsed bridges, buildings and don't go sight seeing.

Bibliography

References (Bibliograpy):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclone_Tracy
www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/cyclone4.htm
www.enjoy-darwin.com/cyclone-tracy.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_people_were_officially_confirmed_dead_in_Cyclone_Tracy
http://ntlapp.nt.gov.au/tracy/basic/emergency.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_the_response_of_the_community_and_the_government_to_Cyclone_Tracy
http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/about/tc-checklist.shtml