User:12george1/Cyclone Kerry (1979)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Kerry

Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Cyclone Kerry on
Formed	February 12, 1979
Dissipated	March 5, 1979
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph) 1-minute sustained: 195 km/h (120 mph)
Lowest pressure	945 hPa (mbar); 27.91 inHg
Fatalities	4
Damage	$1 million (1979 USD)
Areas affected	Solomon Islands, Queensland
Part of the 1978–79 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone seasons

Cyclone Kerry was the longest-lived tropical cyclone in the Australian region basin. The sixth tropical cyclone of the South Pacific and seventh of the Australian region during that season, Kerry developed from a low pressure area while southwest of Kiribati late on 12 February. The system deepened into a Category 1 cyclone on Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale by the following day and was named Kerry. Moving to the west-southwest, Kerry reached Category 2 on 14 February. Later, the cyclone curved southwestward. Kerry made landfall on Makira in the Solomon Islands early on 15 February. The storm continued southwestward and entered the Australian region. By 16 February, Kerry began moving south-southeastward and intensified further, becoming a Category 3 cyclone. Becoming a Category 4 cyclone on 18 February, the storm peaked with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph).

After peak intensity, the storm began to move erratically, executing multiple cyclonic loops and decelerating between 20 February and 25 February. At that time, Kerry weakened significantly due to dry air, falling to Category 3 on 21 February and Category 2 on 24 February. The storm curved southwestward by 26 February and deteriorated to a Category 1 later that day. Shortly thereafter, Kerry turned westward and began approaching the east coast of Queensland. Late on 28 February, the cyclone struck the Whitsunday Islands as a Category 1 and later made multiple landfalls on the mainland as a tropical low on 1 March. Kerry curved northward several hours later and re-emerged into the Pacific Ocean. The storm reintensified into a Category 1 on 2 March, before a trough forced the cyclone to curve southeastward. Kerry again weakened while traversing above the Great Barrier Reef and finally dissipated on 5 March.

The Solomon Islands were severely impacted by the cyclone. Winds damaged many agricultural areas, buildings, and dwellings. Additionally, a few entire villages were flattened, while all houses in some communities were destroyed, leaving about 7,000 people homeless. There were four deaths and many serious injuries in the Solomon Islands. In the aftermath of the storm, several countries and international organization contributed money toward relief efforts, with donations totaling about $107,000. In Queensland, much of the damage occurred in the vicinity of Mackay, where a wind gust of 141 km/h (88 mph) was observed. Twenty-seven homes were damaged, one severely, and a warehouse lost a large section of its roof. Wave heights up to 4.02 m (13.2 ft) in the city caused about $1 million (1979 AUD) in damage to boats at the harbor. On Brampton Island, the resort's staff quarters building was deroofed and many trees were downed throughout the island.

Impact

Solomon Islands

Two deaths occurred on Bellona Island, one after a coconut tree fell on an 11-year old girl and the other after a four-month old child suffered from exposure. Many others suffered injuries from collapsing trees and dwellings. The storm destroyed a medical clinic, including the supplies inside.

The storm destroyed the entire village of Temaqua on the west end of Rennell Island. The communities of Natahetua and Natai both reported the destruction of a church and some homes. In Ngongona, strong winds destroyed 12 residences and deroofed six others. Similarly, the hurricane damaged six homes and unroofed two others at Hatangua village. Classrooms and staff housing at the New Place School also suffered structural impact. In Tigoa, the medical clinic was deroofed, while four homes experienced damage.

A malaria outbreak occurred in Makira-Ulawa Province about five months after the storm due to standing water.

External links

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