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SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - FEBRUARY 2001 Tropical Cyclones Abigail, Wylva and Vincent affected Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia during February, producing some flooding rains and contributing to the highest February monthly rainfalls on record in some parts of the Northern Territory. There were significant bush fires in the Lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, and several in Tasmania. February was a warm month in Southeastern Australia contributing to much of Victoria experiencing its highest mean maximum and mean minimum summer temperatures on record. In contrast February was cooler than average in many places in Western Australia.
Queensland Tropical Cyclone Abigail crossed the coast around noon on Saturday 24th in the vicinity of Palm Cove-Ellis Beach about 30 kilometres northwest of Cairns with a central pressure of 992 hpa and maximum wind gusts of 90-100 km/h (low Category 1). Tropical Cyclone Abigail moved in to the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria on the 25th, intensified into a Category 3 on the 26th and crossed the southern Gulf coast on the Northern Territory side of the border early on the 27th. Tropical Cyclone Wylva was named on the morning of the 16th when 170 km northwest of Mornington Island In the Gulf of Carpentaria. Tropical Cyclone Wylva remained a Category 1 cyclone and crossed the south coast of the Gulf on the Northern Territory side of the border early in the evening of the 16th. Western Australia A tropical low formed in the monsoonal trough east of Christmas Island on the 5th. As it moved slowly southeast, it developed further, being named tropical cyclone Vincent on the 12th while located approximately 660 kilometres north northwest of Karratha. The Category 2 cyclone continued to track south-east towards the Pilbara coastline, but lost momentum and collapsed just before crossing the coast as a rain bearing depression, south of Bidyadanga, at about 1900 WST on the 15th. The depression continued to track east-south-east where it finally dissipated in the eastern Interior on the 16th. Wind gusts up to 75 km/h and rainfall up to 100 mm were recorded at Kimberley and Pilbara coastal stations in the path of Vincent, although there was no damage reported. Northern Territory Tropical Cyclone Winsome On the 8th, a tropical low formed in the monsoon trough over the southeastern Arafura Sea north of Nhulunbuy. The low drifted slowly south then southwest as it moved into the Gulf of Carpentaria and developed into Tropical Cyclone Winsome late on the 10th just north of Groote Eylandt. The cyclone passed between the island and the mainland coast before making landfall near Numbulwar on the southwestern Gulf coast early on the 11th as a Category 1 system. The cyclone decayed into a tropical low which persisted for a further five days as it traversed the Northern Territory, finally decaying over central Western Australia on the 16th as it merged with the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Vincent.
Tropical Cyclone Winsome caused one death - a fisherman lost from his vessel near Maria Island at the mouth of the Roper River while trying to retrieve a punt. Two men were rescued after 8 hours in a life raft when their trawler capsized in Gulf of Carpentaria waters near Karumba. In Alyangula, falling trees brought down power lines and a 2 metre storm surge covered the golf course, washed boats onto rocks and a car off Shoreline Road. In Numbulwar, a storm surge damaged workshops and facilities along coastal roads. A storm tide at Nhulunbuy covered the Perkins Wharf and dislodged boats moored on the beach. In Darwin, strong winds and severe wind gusts felled trees onto power lines, causing blackouts, road accidents and damaging cars, as ex Tropical Cyclone Winsome moved south of the Top End on the 12th and 13th. Large swell combined with high tides to produce coastal erosion and dangerous conditions at Darwin beaches - one man was rescued after spending 20 hours in Darwin Harbour mangroves after his dinghy was swamped in rough seas. Heavy rain caused flooding in many parts of the NT, cutting the Victoria and Buntine Highways, access roads to Batchelor, Borroloola, Daguragu and causing the closure of many National Parks around the Top End including Litchfield Park, Douglas Hot Springs and Elsey National Park. The Daly River community was threatened but no evacuations were necessary. Two cars were lost at a flooded river crossing near Timber Creek. Tropical Cyclone Wylva On the 14th, a weak tropical low over Cape York Peninsula moved over eastern Gulf of Carpentaria waters. The low deepened as it drifted towards the southwest and was named Tropical Cyclone Wylva during the morning of the 16th. Tropical Cyclone Wylva crossed the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast later the same day just west of the NT-Qld border as a weak Category 1 system. The cyclone decayed into a tropical low which moved steadily across the NT during the next few days then further west before decaying over the Pilbara region of WA on the 22nd.
Heavy rain from ex-Tropical Cyclone Wylva produced a record flood in the Victoria River which inundated the Kalkarindji, Daguragu and Pigeon Hole communities. Around 700 people were evacuated to a temporary tent city in Katherine for several weeks. Damage estimated at $13 m was caused to community infrastructure, including access roads and bridges, many houses and the power station, police station and health clinic at Kalkarindji. The community of Borroloola and surrounding outstations in the Gulf country were isolated for an extended period, requiring aircraft food drops to stranded residents. Floodwaters also threatened McArthur River mine and township, Coolibah Station and crocodile farm, Timber Creek town, Victoria River Downs and the Victoria River Roadhouse. The Victoria Highway between the NT and WA was cut from the 13th to the 28th, and the Buntine and Carpentaria Highways were also cut for extended periods. Tropical Cyclone Abigail On the 25th, ex-Tropical Cyclone Abigail moved into the southeastern Gulf of Carpentaria and was renamed early on the 26th, northeast of Mornington Island. Tropical Cyclone Abigail rapidly intensified to Category 3 intensity by evening as it moved southwest towards the coast. The cyclone crossed the southern Gulf coast near the NT-Qld border early on the 27th and moved westwards into the McArthur River region. Tropical Cyclone Abigail weakened into a tropical low south of Borroloola but continued to traverse the Northern Territory during the next three days along a track close to those followed by Tropical Cyclone's Winsome and Wylva. Heavy rain produced by ex-Tropical Cyclone Abigail added to flood waters in the Gulf country and Victoria River District, prolonging the pre-existing disruption to communities in the region.
Queensland On the 4th at Mt Isa, there were two main thunderstorms events between 4 pm and 8.30 pm with the storm between 6.20 pm and 8.30 pm classified as severe due to rainfall intensity. A rainfall rate of 55.8 mm in 33 minutes was recorded at the Mt Isa Airport, which has an Annual Recurrence Interval between 50 and 100 years. The majority of damage reported was mainly water damage caused by local flash flooding. Areas such as Sunset were the worst affected. New South Wales On the 4th, Wedderburn (Illawarra) had 32 mm of rain in 30 minutes, Benefield (South West Slopes) had 47 mm in 60 minutes. On the 5th, Box Hill (Metropolitan) had 32 mm in 30 minutes. Very heavy rain caused flash flooding at Windsor and other parts of western Sydney. The SES were called to 30 jobs. Nullo Mountain(Central Tablelands) had 55.8 mm in 120 minutes, Cobar (Upper Western) had 52.4 mm in 120 minutes. On the 13th, Curtin (Southern Tablelands) had a 93 km/h wind gust which caused extensive tree damage On the 21st, at Bombala (Southern Tablelands) hail 4.4 cm in diameter was reported. On the 27th, Wagga Wagga (South West Slopes), had hail 2 to 4 cm in diameter, 45 mm in 45 minutes and wind gusts to 102 km/h caused extensive damage to houses and trees throughout the town. More than 100 jobs were done by the SES. Victoria On the 4th, severe storms occurred in the Northeast district. They produced heavy rain and damaging wind. At Nalinga near Benalla, severe wind damaged several farm buildings and large hail to 2 cm was reported. Heavy rainfall occurred at Albury, Wangaratta, Rutherglen, at El Dorado 35 mm was recorded in 20 minutes, Winton had 42 mm in 40 minutes, and Upper Gundowring 71.2 mm in 24 hours, most of the rain fell in 30 minutes. On the 7th, at Moonambel near Avoca in the Northern Country, a thunderstorm produced damaging winds, trees were damaged and a toilet roof was blown off. On the 8th, athunderstorm produced severe winds at Warrnambool. The AWS recorded a maximum gust of 106 km/h. Storms in the evening over the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne produced heavy rain and some local flooding was reported, there was also some wind damage. On the 28th, roof damage to a house at Portarlington was reported, possibly being caused by a tornado. Western Australia On the 28th, widespread showers and storms affected the Central West and Central Wheat Belt districts. Minor damage to caravans, broken tree branches and dislodged roofing fixtures from the local hospital were reported at Dalwallinu. Wind gusts up to 113 km/h were reported as 26.2 mm of rain fell in 20 minutes along with localised hail. A storm at Highfields (north east of Carnamah), snapped tree branches and caused damage to buildings in the area.. Flash flooding occurred as 26 mm of rain fell in 45 minutes with gusty southwesterly winds and occasional lightning. At Xantippe, a storm lasted 30 to 45 minutes and caused widespread damage across the town with trees uprooted, power lines down and damage to property. Roadways and paddocks were flooded as 35 mm of rainfall was recorded in 30 minutes. Northern Territory On the 6th, a slow-moving afternoon thunderstorm caused flash flooding in the Darwin city area, cutting roads briefly near the Botanic Gardens and in Stuart Park. 100 mm of rainfall was recorded in 1 hour at an unofficial gauge in Bayview Haven. On the 7th, a waterspout was observed just offshore from Nightcliff (a Darwin suburb) for 20 minutes near midday.
On the 13th, monsoonal squall lines produced wind gusts to 91 km/h at McCluer Island in the southern Arafura Sea in the early morning and gusts to 94 km/h at Channel Island in Darwin Harbour and 91 km/h at Delissaville (25 km south of Darwin) during the afternoon.
On the 27th, a squall line moved rapidly from the southwest through Darwin's northern suburbs, producing two damage tracks about 200m wide, one extending for 10 km. Many large trees were uprooted or broken, bringing down power lines and causing damage to fences, roofs and cars. Shade cloths, garden furniture and children's toys were blown away. An unconfirmed report of a funnel cloud sighting was received but the strongest gust measured was only 89 km/h at Gunn Point, 30 km northeast of Darwin. Also on the 27th, an evening thunderstorm produced a microburst which felled trees in Cromwell Drive, Alice Springs.
Queensland February saw a significant amount of flooding in Queensland with a heavy rain event in southeast Queensland at the start of the month, tropical cyclone Wylva in mid-February and tropical cyclone Abigail towards the end of the month. A total of 101 flood warnings were issued for 10 river basins during February. Logan-Albert River: Heavy rainfall commenced on 31 January and continued until Saturday morning 3 February. Totals up to 500 mm were recorded in the headwater areas with 150 mm common in the lower reaches. This resulted in minor to moderate flooding along the Albert River. Minor to moderate flooding developed in the upper Logan River during Thursday 2 February and extended down to Macleans Bridge by Sunday 4 February resulting in moderate flooding in the area. There was no significant flooding in Teviot Brook or in the Logan River below Macleans Bridge. Brisbane River: Rainfall in the Brisbane River during early February varied from 150 mm in the lower reaches of the Brisbane River to nearly 600 mm in the upper reaches of Laidley Creek. The most significant flooding occurred along Laidley Creek with levels some of the highest of record but fortunately, of short duration. Minor flooding resulted in the upper reaches of the Brisbane River over the first few days of February and low flows were released from Wivenhoe Dam during the second week in February. Flooding in the upper reaches of Lockyer Creek was only minor during the period but, with the major flooding along Laidley Creek, major flooding also occurred in the lower reaches of Lockyer Creek where a peak just over 13 metres was recorded early Sunday morning 4 February. Minor flooding also occurred in the Bremer River and Warrill Creek systems during the period but there was no significant flooding in the lower reaches of the Bremer or Brisbane Rivers. Mary River: Minor flooding developed in the Mary River during the first few days of February and extended downstream to Tiaro by 6 February. Herbert River: Over the period 14 to 19 February rainfalls of up to 300mm in the Herbert River resulted in minor flooding along the lower Herbert River and moderate flooding at Halifax on Saturday 17 February. Tully River: There were two floods in the Tully River during February. The first occurred between 14 to 19 February when rainfall totals up to 500 mm occurred over the period. As a result the Tully River at Euramo was above the moderate flood level of 8 metres for nearly 30 hours from early Sunday 18 February to Monday morning. Rainfall totals up to 150mm in the preceding 48 hours resulted in minor flooding at Euramo on Sunday 25 February. Barron River: Similarly to the Tully River, there were two periods of flooding in the Barron River; the first from 17 to 18 February and then again on 24 February. On both occasions, only minor flooding resulted in the lower reaches in the Barron delta. However, during the first event, moderate flooding occurred in the middle reaches from Mareeba to Bilwon. Upper Condamine River: The event which caused the heavy rainfall in the south east corner of the State spilled over in the upper Condamine River and caused minor flooding along the upper Condamine and tributaries downstream to Chinchilla Weir to 11 February. Border Rivers: Heavy rain commenced in the Macintyre River in NSW and the upper reaches of the Dumaresq River 30 January and continued until 2 February. Widespread totals of 100 to 150 mm were recorded during the period with heavier falls up to 200 mm being recorded in the area from Stanthorpe to Tenterfield. Minor flooding extended along the Dumaresq River and along the Macintyre River in NSW during the first few days of February. During this time there was no significant flooding in the Macintyre Brook. However the combined flows in the three systems resulted in a major flood peak of 9.2 metres at Goondiwindi on Saturday 3 February. Minor flooding extended downstream to Mungindi over the next two weeks. There was also some minor flooding in the middle reaches of the Weir River during the same period. Moonie River: Moderate flooding developed in the upper to middle reaches of the Moonie River during the first few days of February and with minor flooding extending down to the NSW border by the middle of the month. Bulloo River: Similarly, minor to moderate flooding occurred in the upper reaches of the Bulloo system at Adavale on Blackwater Creek and on the Bulloo River at Milroy during the first week in February. The main flood waters reached Quilpie by Saturday 10 February causing moderate flooding but only minor flooding occurred downstream to Thargomindah with the main flood waters arriving by Saturday 17 February.
Queensland Areas of blowing dust were associated with the passage of a surface trough through the far southwest on the 14th.
Queensland Because of strong winds along the Gold Coast, millions of dollars worth of beach restoration was destroyed by five metre high waves along the southern Gold Coast on the 2nd. Tasmania Gusts exceeding 90 km/h were reported at Cape Grim on the 13th; Maatsuyker Island on the 2nd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 13th and 19th; Mount Wellington on the 2nd, 10th and 13th; Hartz Mountains on the 10th; Derwent Estuary Site on the 8th, 9th and 13th.
Tasmania Bushfires were numerous throughout the state for the month, some major
blazes were, South Australia On the 2nd, a wildfire destroyed seven houses, and significantly damaged
seven others in the small township of Tulka, about 10 kilometers southwest
of Port Lincoln on the Lower Eyre Peninsula.
Note: Some statistical records mentioned in this report are based on data that have yet to be fully validated.
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