 Satellite image of Cyclone Alby on 2 April 1978 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 27 March 1978 |
| Dissipated | 5 April 1978 |
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 direct, 3 indirect |
| Damage | $45 million (1978 USD) |
| Areas affected | Western Australia |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1977–78 Australian region cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Alby was regarded as the most devastating tropical cyclone to impact southwestern Western Australia on record. Forming out of an area of low pressure on 27 March 1978, Alby steadily developed as it tracked southwestward, parallel to the west coast. Between 1 and 2 April, the storm quickly intensified and attained its peak intensity as a Category 5 cyclone on the Australian cyclone intensity scale. After turning to the southeast, the storm underwent an extratropical transition as it neared Cape Leeuwin. The storm brushed the cape on 4 April, bringing hurricane-force winds, before rapidly losing its identity the following day.
In Western Australia, the combination of Alby's fast movement and hurricane-force winds caused widespread damage. Along the coast, large swells flooded low-lying areas and numerous homes lost their roofs from high winds. Further inland, bushfires were worsened by the storm as it brought little rain, generally less than 20 mm (0.79 in) along the coast. These fires burned roughly 114,000 hectares (281,700 acres). Cyclone Alby and the associated brushfires caused five deaths, with the heaviest damage in the town of Albany, Western Australia.[1]
A report at the time noted that "The Perth metropolitan area and nearly every town from Geraldton to Albany was extensively damaged."[2] The resulting damage was extensive, with monetary losses reaching A$50 million (US$45 million). According to a Canadian newspaper, the Associated Press reported initially that officials in Perth said that "A tropical cyclone Tuesday tore across the southwestern tip of Australia, killing at least five persons and sparking brushfires that destroyed two towns."[3] The two towns destroyed by fire were identified in an Australian report as Jarrahwood and Yornup.[4]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
BOMBTwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
SMH_1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Tropical cyclone kills 5". The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon, SK): 46. 5 April 1978. Retrieved 21 August 2021 – via Google News.
- ^ Carman, Gerry (6 April 1978). "WA mops up after fires, storm ordeal". The Age. p. 3. Retrieved 23 February 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
