As Harvey developed it moved generally in a south- southwesterly direction, intensifying slowly at first. However, upon its approach to land, Harvey intensified rapidly into a severe cyclone. Harvey reached a peak intensity of 965 hPa in the hours just prior to making landfall 50 nm north-northwest of Wollogorang (Northern Territory) at 0600 UTC 7 February 2005.

Gulf communities cyclone damage: (Calvert River) Pungalina Station, 130km southeast of Borroloola and not far from the Gulf of Carpentaria coast, was in the direct path of the cyclone. Station manager Owen Davies said wind gusts stronger than 100km/h hit the homestead just before midnight and the cyclone dumped 60mm of rain in a few hours and winds had uprooted many trees. It dumped 63mm of rain on Borroloola, with some other remote areas recording higher falls - the heaviest was 200mm at Kiana Station, 150km south of Borroloola.

All unsealed roads within Burke Shire were closed with flooding isolating Burketown, Doomadgee and numerous rural properties in the Gulf area. The road west to Doomadgee and other roads were damaged. Mornington Island reported that an unmoored dinghy was washed away but has since been located. A storm tide was experienced that just exceeded the normal high tide but posed no problems. At Karumba sand washed from the foreshore near the Council boat ramp and Sunset Tavern. There may be some further beach erosion that was caused by the storm tide.

Link: More info on Cyclone Harvey

Rockhampton Regional Council in partnership with the Queensland a…

Cyclone Harvey track and intensity (BOM)