Cyclone Harvey was a

tropical cyclone A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Dep ...

that struck

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

and the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory shares its borders with Western Au ...

of Australia during the

2004–05 Australian region cyclone season The 2004–05 Australian region cyclone season was a slightly below average tropical cyclone season. It began on 1 November 2004 and ended on 30 April 2005. The regional tropical cyclone operational plan also defines a ''tropical cyclone year'' ...

. It had a minimum pressure of 967 mbar (hPa; 28.56 inHg) and maximum wind gusts of .

Meteorological history

A series of weak low pressure systems in the

Gulf of Carpentaria The Gulf of Carpentaria (, ) is a large, shallow sea enclosed on three sides by northern Australia and bounded on the north by the eastern Arafura Sea (the body of water that lies between Australia and New Guinea). The northern boundary ...

and

Timor Sea The Timor Sea ( id, Laut Timor, pt, Mar de Timor, tet, Tasi Mane or ) is a relatively shallow sea bounded to the north by the island of Timor, to the east by the Arafura Sea, and to the south by Australia. The sea contains a number of reefs, ...

prompted the Bureau of Meteorology to go on Low Key Standby on 3 February 2005. While there was a moderate risk of tropical cyclone development, there were several weak lows, not a main well-defined low, and this led to High Key Standby being delayed until 4 February. On 5 February, the

Brisbane Brisbane ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the states and territories of Australia, Australian state of Queensland, and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a populati ...

Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) issued an advice for municipalities along the southern side of the Gulf of Carpentaria as the Watch Phase was entered. On 6 February, Warning Phase commenced as Harvey strengthened to a Category 1 storm, and by 7 February, the cyclone had reached Category 3. The system then made landfall along the coast of the southern side of the gulf later that day.

Preparations and impact

Warnings were issued along the coast between

Mornington Island Mornington Island, also known as Kunhanhaa, is an island in the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Shire of Mornington, Queensland, Australia. It is the northernmost and largest of 22 islands that form the Wellesley Islands group. The largest town, ...

in Queensland and Port McArthur,

Borroloola Borroloola ( local Aboriginal languages: ''Burrulula'') is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located on the McArthur River, about 50 km upstream from the Gulf of Carpentaria. Location Borroloola lies on the traditional c ...

and Robinson River in the Northern Territory. Municipalities were warned to expect flooding and high tides. At Robinson River, flooding led to "severe road damage," which was estimated to be $1 million

AUD The Australian dollar (sign: $; code: AUD) is the currency of Australia, including its external territories: Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Norfolk Island. It is officially used as currency by three independent Pacific Isla ...

($750,000

USD The United States dollar (symbol: $; code: USD; also abbreviated US$ or U.S. Dollar, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies; referred to as the dollar, U.S. dollar, American dollar, or colloquially buck) is the official ...

in 2005). The river rose nearly , coming one metre away from the local power station. Downed trees and minor building damage was also reported. At Pungalina Station, strong winds and of rain were reported, and many trees were uprooted or broken.

Aftermath

The Bureau of Meteorology retired the name ''Harvey'' after its usage.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harvey 2004–05 Australian region cyclone season 2005 in Australia Retired Australian region cyclones Category 3 Australian region cyclones Harvey

Meteorological history

Preparations and impact

Aftermath

See also

References

External links