Cyclone Yasi Summary

 A tropical cyclone is an intense low-pressure system which usually forms over warm tropical waters (between the two tropics) and can be extremely damaging to communities in which they hit. For a tropical cyclone to be considered as a natural disaster rather than a natural hazard, it must hit land and cause an effect on a community.

At Midnight on Thursday 3rd February 2011, Cyclone Yasi hit land on Mission Beach on the coast of Queensland. It caused major destruction along the coast of Queensland, from Cairns to Ayr, damaging the flora and fauna as well as homes, businesses and vehicles. Cyclone Yasi was one of the most violent tropical cyclones to hit Australia in a century, and in economic views, was Australia’s most expensive natural disaster in history costing approximately$5 billion.

Cyclone Yasi also made dramatic social, environmental and economic changes to the communities in which it hit including destroying the entire banana plantations.

Cyclone Yasi Report