Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi (2011)
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 4 (Saffir–Simpson scale) | |
Satellite image of Cyclone Yasi on 2 February near peak intensity
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| Formed | 26 January 2011 |
| Dissipated | 6 February 2011 |
| (Remnant low after 3 February) | |
| Highest winds |
10-minute sustained: 205 km/h (125 mph) 1-minute sustained: 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Highest gust | Gusts: 285 km/h (180 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 929 hPa (mbar); 27.43 inHg |
| Fatalities | 1 direct |
| Damage | $3.6 billion (2011 USD) |
| Areas affected | Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Victoria |
| Part of the 2010–11 South Pacific and Australian region cyclone seasons | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi /ˈjɑːsiː/ was a very powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that made landfall in northern Queensland, Australia on 3 February 2011, causing major damage to affected areas. Originating as a tropical low near Fiji, the system intensified to tropical cyclone status during the evening of 30 January 2011. Yasi underwent rapid development over the next 24 hours, with the storm classified as a Category 3 cyclone at about 5 PM AEST (07:00 UTC) on 31 January 2011. Late on 1 February the cyclone strengthened to a Category 4 system, then early on 2 February, the cyclone intensified to a Category 5 system. The system had a well-defined eye and continued to track west-southwest, maintaining a central pressure of 930 hPa (27 inHg) and a dvorak intensity of T6.5 into the evening.
At about 12:00 AM AEST (14:00 UTC) on February 3, Yasi crossed the coastline as a severe Category 5 cyclone near Mission Beach, with estimated maximum 3-second gusts of 285 km/h spanning an area from Ingham to Cairns. A record low pressure of 929 hPa (27.43 inHg) was measured as the eye passed over Tully. 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 February 3, 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). Yasi was also indirectly responsible for the death of a 23-year-old man who died of suffocation by generator exhaust fumes.
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