Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Climatology | Impacts | Extremes| TCs affecting WA towns | Forecast Accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions | Annual summaries

Definitions | Characteristics and Formation | Climatology | Extremes | Forecasting | More Information

Extremes

3.Which cyclone has produced the largest storm surge?

The large tidal range along the northwest coast reduces the incidence of storm-surge flooding, but if tropical cyclones cross the coast at the time of high tide, storm surges could be devastating, particularly in semi-enclosed shallow waters. In the cyclone of February 1937, tidal waters estimated to be 4 to 5 m deep covered 14 km of the road from Hamelin Pool to Denham. In 1939, a storm surge at Port Hedland coincided with high tide causing a tide of 5.7 m AHD. Seawater penetrated the sea wall washing away several houses and flooding the Pier and Esplanade Hotels. During cyclone Vance in 1999 the storm surge was measured to be 3.6 m at Exmouth and estimated to be 4 m at Onslow and increasing to an estimated maximum of more than 5 m west of Onslow near Tubridgi Point.