Tracy

Environment

Fifty years ago, Cyclone Tracy flattened Darwin and changed Australia’s attitude towards disasters forever

Fifty years after the tragedy, authorities can now predict tropical cyclones. Credit: Japan Meteorological Agency Exactly 50 years ago, on Christmas Eve 1974, Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin, leaving a trail of devastation. It remains one of the most destructive natural phenomena in Australian history. Wind speeds reached over 200 km/h. The cyclone killed 71 people, injured nearly 650 people, and…