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The Impact from Tropical Cyclone Steve

Cyclone Steve impacted on parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia as it traversed the north and west of the continent.

Impact in Queensland:

As Steve tracked inland on the north Queensland coast it caused major flooding between Cairns and Mareeba. A record flood level of 12.4 metres was reached at Mareeba at 4:37 am EST on the 28th of February 2000, with 90 people requiring evacuation and the railway bridge washed away. Many buildings in Cairns suffered severe water damage including the Cairns Hospital.

Wind gusts to 140 km/hr caused several buildings in Cairns and Kuranda to lose their roofs. Hundreds of trees were uprooted and powerlines were brought down throughout the district, disrupting supplies to more than 40,000 residents. The two highways to the Atherton Tablelands were closed by fallen trees and landslides.

Crop damage by floods and winds was severe, with the sugar cane damage alone estimated at $20M (AUD). Early estimates indicate that the total damage bill in north Queensland associated with cyclone Steve may exceed $100M (AUD).

Queensland State Emergency Service Archive of Damage Photos from Cyclone Steve

Impact in the Northern Territory:

Steve passed over the uninhabited Sir Edward Pellew Group of islands in the Northern Territory with wind gusts near 95 km/hr recorded. Crossing the islands weakened Steve and only a brief period of strong winds and a 45 minute calm were observed at Bing Bong on the mainland coast north of Port McArthur. No damage was reported but tides at Port McArthur were 1.5 metres higher than normal tide levels. The uprooting of small tress was reported from Borroloola township, about 60 kilometres inland.

On the days following coastal crossing, as the remnants of cyclone Steve tracked westward across the Top End, severe winds squalls and heavy rainfall was recorded. Several trees were uprooted in Oenpelli which reported winds gusts in excess of 90 km/hr. Winds to 70 km/hr were observed through the Timor Sea during the 2nd and 3rd of March and gusts near 90 km/hr in Darwin overnight on the 2nd brought down trees.

Widespread flooding resulted in the Katherine, Daly and Victoria River regions. Rainfall across the Top End, Victoria River region from 9 am CST on the 29th of February to 9 am CST on the 4th of March was between 200 and 400 millimetres. Similar totals were recorded over four days in the Kimberley region to 9 am CST on the 5th of March.

Numerous Northern Territory roads and highways were cut with many communites isolated. Flooding caused the evacuation of several communities in the region and re-supply air-drops to other isolated areas. The Daly River community was required to evacuate almost a week and a half after the passage of the low.

Photos Compliments of the NT Department of Transport and Works
	Flooding at Victoria Bridge 17 March - Image 1
	Flooding at Victoria Bridge 17 March - Image 2
Photos Compliments of the Water Resources Division - NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
	Flooding at Katherine and Daly River Community

Impact in Western Australia:

The very heavy rainfall associated with Steve produced widespread flooding in northern parts of the state, including the Gascoyne region. Communities in the Kimberley region which remained isolated for more than two weeks required food and supply air-drops. Low-lying areas of the Carnarvon townsite were flooded when the Gascoyne River breached its banks. The Gascoyne River at Carnarvon reached its highest level since 1960. Flood Advices were issued for a large area and included the catchments of the Fitzroy, De Grey, Gascoyne and Murchison Rivers.

Much of the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne reported cumulative rainfall totals in excess of 100 mm. Higher falls, greater than 300 mm, were recorded near the 80 Mile Beach. Parts of the western Pilbara and northern Gascoyne received totals that ranged from 200 to 300 mm. Several sites reported highest on record daily rainfall amounts including Mandora (281.0 mm on 6th) and Mount Narryer (152.0 mm on 10th). Carnarvon (100.6 mm on 9th) reported it's highest March daily rainfall since records commenced 45 years ago. Rainfall ranging from 50 to 100 mm continued over inland parts extending in a south-easterly direction from the West Gascoyne to the South Coast near Esperance.

Flooding occurred in the Esperance area and number of roads and bridges were washed away. Salmon Gums Research Station recorded 91 mm of rain on the 11th and Esperance Met. Office recorded 54.2 mm.

	Flooding near Esperance - Image 1
	Flooding near Esperance - Image2
	Flooding near Esperance - Image 3