Summary
Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry crossed the far north Queensland coast near Innisfail south of Cairns early on 20 March 2006 at category 4 intensity causing major impacts to the region. Fortunately, no deaths or life-threatening injuries were directly attributable to the cyclone. However, between Babinda and Tully, damage to infrastructure and crops was extensive with the total estimated loss upwards of half a billion dollars. Significant damage also occurred in areas north to Cairns, south to Cardwell and on the Atherton Tablelands.
A tropical low formed in the eastern Coral Sea on 14-15 March assisted by a strong monsoon flow initially. Although the monsoon flow eased on 17 March, a strengthening high pressure ridge increased winds south of the centre. Deep convection became more organised overnight from 17 to 18 March. Tropical cyclone intensity was estimated at 0000 UTC 18 March.
Larry rapidly intensified into a severe tropical cyclone late on 18 March and then peaked at category 5 intensity on 19 March. Larry moved west towards the Queensland coast at faster than normal speeds (25 km/h) towards landfall. Larry was undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle (ERC) in the ten hours prior to landfall which resulted in a slight reduction in maximum winds and a complex wind field.
Larry made landfall at category 4 intensity near Innisfail around daybreak at 0700 AEST on Monday 20 March (2100 UTC 19 March). A marked variation in wind gusts was observed, both in a spatial sense and across elevated terrain. This was clearly evidenced by varying levels of damage across relatively small distances. Wind damage and flooding rainfall was much less than otherwise could have occurred, due to the rapid motion of the cyclone through the area.
Larry was at category 3 intensity as it moved over the Atherton Tablelands, then below tropical cyclone intensity late on 20 March much further inland than is normal and its remnants produced severe flooding in the northwest of the state.
In total 10 000 homes were damaged, most of which were constructed prior to the introduction of higher cyclone rating standards. More modern houses in the main impact zone remained structurally intact. Many powerlines were felled resulting in prolonged power outages.
Larry caused extensive damage to forests and destroyed 80–90% of Australia's banana crop resulting in a short supply throughout Australia for the remainder of 2006.
Larry was the first severe tropical cyclone to cross the Queensland coast south of Cairns since Aivu in 1989.
For more information see the TC Larry Report (doc).
Track and intensity
All times in AEST, UTC +10.
