Category 5 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone in 2011
Not to be confused with Cyclone Yaas or Cyclone Yasa.
For other storms of the same name, see Cyclone Yasi (disambiguation).
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi
Cyclone Yasi approaching Queensland near peak intensity on 2 February 2011
Meteorological history
Formed
26 January 2011
Remnant low
3 February 2011
Dissipated
6 February 2011
Category 5 severe tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (Aus)
Highest winds
205 km/h (125 mph)
Highest gusts
285 km/h (180 mph)
Lowest pressure
929 hPa (mbar); 27.43 inHg
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS)
Highest winds
250 km/h (155 mph)
Lowest pressure
922 hPa (mbar); 27.23 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities
1 indirect
Damage
$3.6 billion (2011 USD) (Costliest tropical cyclone in the Australian region basin)
Areas affected
Tuvalu, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Australia
IBTrACS
Part of the 2010–11 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone seasons
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi (/ˈjɑːsiː/) was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that made landfall in northern Queensland, Australia in early 2011, causing major damage to the affected areas. Originating as a tropical low near Fiji on 26 January, the system intensified to tropical cyclone status during the evening of 30 January. Yasi deepened rapidly over the next 24 hours, and was classified as a Category 3 cyclone at about 5 PM AEST (07:00 UTC) on 31 January 2011.[1] Late on 1 February, the cyclone strengthened to a Category 4 system; then, early on 2 February, the cyclone intensified into a Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone.[2] The system had a well-defined eye and continued to track west-southwestward, maintaining a central pressure of 930 hPa (27 inHg) and a Dvorak intensity of T6.5 into the evening.[3][4]
At about 12:00 AM AEST (14:00 UTC) on 3 February, Yasi crossed the Australian coastline as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone near Mission Beach,[5] with estimated maximum 3-second gusts of 285 km/h spanning an area from Ingham to Cairns.[6] A record low pressure of 929 hPa (27.43 inHg) was measured as the eye passed over Tully.[5] Due to the size of the system and its strong core, Yasi maintained cyclonic intensity farther inland than normal, finally dissipating into a tropical low near Mount Isa, at 10 PM on 3 February 2011, 22 hours after the storm first crossed the coast. The storm caused an estimated AU$3.5 billion (US$3.6 billion) in damage, making it the costliest tropical cyclone to hit Australia on record (not accounting for inflation; otherwise, Cyclone Tracy was costlier). Yasi was also indirectly responsible for the death of a 23-year-old man, who died from suffocation by generator exhaust fumes.[7][8]
Tropical Cyclone Yasi was the biggest storm in Queensland's history, with more than 10,000 people moved from their homes. The storm passed between the two big cities of Cairns and Townsville which only suffered minor damage. Early estimates of damage put the cost at about AU$100 million. It did not cause as much damage as government expected, as it missed major cities. It did however destroy 30% of the houses in Tully. At least 75% of the banana crop was destroyed, and damage to the sugar cane farms was expected to cost about AU$500 million. Damage to power lines left 150,000 homes without electricity.
^"Qld prepares for 'most savage' cyclone". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Australian Associated Press. 31 January 2011. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
^"Tropical Cyclone Advice No. 9". Bureau of Meteorology. Australian Government. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 20 January 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
^"Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 21". Bureau of Meteorology. Australian Government. 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 20 January 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
^"Tropical Cyclone Technical Bulletin". Bureau of Meteorology. Australian Government. 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
^ ab"Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi". Bureau of Meteorology. Australian Government. February 2011. Archived from the original on 20 January 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
^"TROPICAL CYCLONE Threat Map". Bureau of Meteorology. Australian Government. 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
^"Cyclone Yasi to cost insurers A$3.5 billion – forecaster". Reuters. 3 February 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
^"Man in cyclone zone suffocates". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 February 2011. Archived from the original on 7 February 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
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