Cyclone Sigma
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Cyclone Sigma was a tropical cyclone that caused severe damage in North Queensland, Australia on 26–27 January 1896.[1][2]
Impact
The cyclone caused massive destruction to Townsville and surrounding areas. The cyclone passed to the north-east of the town, creating high seas and dumping up to 510mm of rain in the area. The Ross River broke its banks, flooding 3 miles of the town's suburbs with up to 2 metres of water. 10 ships were wrecked in the harbour. 17 people died in the flooding and one sailor was also killed.[1][3] Many buildings were destroyed or badly damaged including:
- Townsville School of Arts [4]
- Tattersalls Hotel [5]
- Townsville Showground [6]
- Townsville Supreme Court [7]
- St John's Anglican Church [8]
- Cluden Racecourse and railway station [9]
The cyclone then travelled south towards Rockhampton creating heavy rainfall. Overall 23 people died in the cyclone with 3 missing.[3]
References
- ^ a b "CBoM – History of Townsville Meteorological Office". www.bom.gov.au. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ "Lives lost during cyclone Sigma on Australia Day in 1896". Townsville Bulletin. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- ^ a b "CYCLONE SIGMA 1896-01-26". Harden Up. Green Cross Australia. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ "Townsville School of Arts (entry 600925)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Tattersalls Hotel (entry 600916)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Townsville Showground (entry 602650)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Drystone Wall, Melton Hill, Townsville (entry 600885)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "St John's Anglican Church Precinct (entry 600880)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
- ^ "Grandstand, former totalisator building and main entrance gates, Cluden Racecourse (entry 600924)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
External links
Media related to Cyclone Sigma at Wikimedia Commons
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