Bernie tracked southward throughout its lifetime and crossed the coast near the NT border at 11 pm on 4 January 2002 by which time it had weakened to a category 1 cyclone. The remaining low then straddled the coast for a following 12 hours before dissipating. The buoy 52627 in the Gulf of Carpentaria near 15.0S 139.0E recorded maximum 10 minute mean winds 260/43 knots at 1451UTC 3 January 2002 and the lowest mean sea level pressure of 985.1 hPa at 1813UTC 3 January 2002 when the wind was 280/35knots. At 6:37 pm on 3 January 2002, Quikscat data indicated SE to SW winds 40 to 55 knots on the western side of the storm 70 to 140 kilometres from the centre. Maximum Storm Surge Height was 0.4m at 6:33pm on 3 January 2002 at Weipa and 0.3m at 11:47pm on 5 January 2002 at Karumba.

Maximum 24 Hour Rainfall was 335mm at Mornington Island to 9am on 4 January 2002. Beachfront washaways and sand loss occurred around Karumba. The boat ramp sustained some damage as a result of wave action. All roads around Burketown and Doomadgee were closed due to flooding. Some environmental damage occurred but no structural damage was reported. Some environmental damage occurred on Mornington Island and Sweers Islands but no structural damage was reported.

The map at the top left displays the impact area (marked by the black line) with the red line illustrating the path of the eye of the cyclone.

Rockhampton Regional Council in partnership with the Queensland a…

Cyclone Bernie track and intensity (BOM)