Cyclone Yasi
Impacts from Cyclone Yasi
Satellite image of Cyclone Yasi. Satellite image originally processed by the Bureau of Meteorology from the geostationary meteorological satellite MTSAT-2 operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Stripped branches are quickly recovered in the lush green growth of new foliage. Photo courtesy of Tamara Vallance.
Epicormic shoots–buds under the bark, held dormant while the tree is healthy, quickly produce leaves to compensate for the loss from the tree’s canopy. Photo courtesy of Tamara Vallance.
Severe tropical cyclone Yasi crossed the Queensland coast near Mission Beach around midnight on 2 February 2011. Wind gusts near the centre of the cyclone reached around 285 km/hr and damaging winds and heavy rains extended 400 km along the coast between Cairns and Townsville, and inland to Mount Isa.
A tidal surge of 5 m was recorded at Cardwell (2.3 m above the highest astronomical tide). High rainfall totals between 200–300 mm were experienced in the 24 hrs following the cyclone, with South Mission Beach recording the highest total of 471 mm.
Significant wind damage occurred between Innisfail and Townsville; in particular the area around Tully and Cardwell suffered major damage to structures and vegetation.
Impacts on parks and forests
The parks and forests within the cyclone’s path suffered extensive damage with tree falls; loss of branches, epiphytes and vines; and leaf stripping of the canopy. As part of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s (QPWS) disaster response, rangers from around the state were quickly mobilised to begin the immense task of reopening parks. Find out more about the QPWS cyclone response.
An immediate concern was the damage to the rainforest habitat of the endangered southern cassowary. Loss of canopy fruit resources has caused a severe food shortage for the cassowary population that will last for months after the cyclone. Find out more about the QPWS Cassowary Response Team.
The cyclone also caused severe damage to important habitat for endangered mahogany gliders. These elusive gliders live in a fragmented strip of lowland sclerophyll forest between Townsville and Tully. Find out more about the QPWS mahogany glider disaster response strategy.
Rainforest recovers
Tropical cyclones are a natural part of the dynamics of the Wet Tropics landscape. These rainforests are ‘hyper-disturbed ecosystems’, with patches of damaged forest constantly recovering from previous cyclonic events.
Rainforest plants have evolved many strategies for recovering from the damage caused by high winds; and some species (pioneers) are ready to spring to life and fill the gaps created in the canopy. The rainforest is quick to recover from cyclones—changes can be seen day-by-day.
See park alerts for the latest information on park and forest closures.
Cleaning up after Cyclone Yasi
Damaged toilet, Edmund Kennedy, Girramay National Park.
Clearing track at Edmund Kennedy, Girramay National Park
Clearing access to a property.
Heavy machinery used to clear access road.
Cyclone Yasi affected many parks and forests in north Queensland. Many parks, from Cairns in the north to Bowling Green Bay in the south and as far west as Undara, suffered varying degrees of damage. Much of the most heavily impacted areas are rugged, remote and difficult to access.
Cyclone Yasi movement and wind strength map (PDF, 834K)*.
Disaster response
Before the cyclone hit, QPWS closed all parks in the cyclone’s path and mobilised an incident control team. The team prepared a disaster response strategy that prioritised recovery actions. The highest priority was the welfare of staff and their families, followed by the recovery of critical infrastructure, iconic vulnerable wildlife response, and supporting the community. In the event, many of these priorities were addressed simultaneously.
Due to the extensive damage to habitat for vulnerable and endangered wildlife, the cassowary recovery plan was activated, followed shortly afterwards by the mahogany glider recovery plan.
Then began the daunting task of clearing, assessing and re-opening parks, forests and reserves. Parks were prioritised according to their importance to the local communities, their iconic status and their importance to the local tourism economy.
Reopening the parks
QPWS staff from all over Queensland contributed to the response teams. In the immediate aftermath, teams began assessing parks—if safe, they were opened and if work was required, closures were kept in place.
Parks in the direct path of the cyclone were almost inaccessible—roads, walking tracks, day-use areas and camping areas were buried in fallen vegetation. Opening the parks involved:
- using heavy machinery (excavators, loaders and trucks) as well as small machinery, such as chainsaws, to clear access roads and tracks
- inspecting, repairing or replacing facilities and signs
- undertaking engineering assessments of major structures
- shifting tons of mulch.
Iconic parks and facilities—the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway, Barron Falls boardwalk and lookout, and several Atherton Tableland visitor sites were open within the first week.
By the second week, Undara Volcanic National Park and Alligator Creek, Bowling Green Bay National Park were opened. By the end of the first month, most accessible parks were at least partially opened.
Assisting the community
The response teams also assisted park neighbours with reconstructing fences along boundaries. Keeping livestock out of parks and forests helps neighbours manage their herds, reduces mustering costs and helps to protect the natural values of protected areas. The teams have also worked to restore access along fence lines for firebreaks, where possible.
QPWS staff conducted fire and pest management workshops in the aftermath of cyclone Yasi. The workshops identified priorities for pest control. They also planned how best to manage the increased fire threat caused by the cyclone. Fallen timber, stripped vegetation and an abundance of native grasses (flourishing in the wet conditions since the cyclone) all add up to an increased fuel load on the ground.
The long haul
While many parks and forests were partially or completely opened within two months of the cyclone, some of the more remote or inaccessible parks will not open for many months to come. The weeks of wet weather after the cyclone have hampered the recovery effort—delaying works and restricting access. QPWS staff will continue the long haul to recovery, ensuring that all parks are once again accessible and safe for visitors’ enjoyment.
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Last updated 9 May 2011