Damage investigation and deployment for Cyclone Narelle | Natural Hazards Research Australia

Damage investigation and deployment for Cyclone Narelle

Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Research theme

Learning from disasters

Project type

Responsive disaster research

Project status

In progress

Following the landfall of Cyclone Narelle, the Cyclone Testing Station (CTS) at James Cook University (JCU) monitored the passage of Tropical Cyclone Narelle through Queensland Northern Territory and Western Australia, maintaining contact with emergency services personnel to establish the damage reported in each jurisdiction.

The CTS along with the Western Australia Department of LGIRS deployed two teams to investigate damage based out of Exmouth and Carnarvon. The northwest coastal highway was cut between Carnarvon and Coral Bay which prevented the two teams from meeting up. The field investigations commenced on Sunday 29 March 2026 and the site work was completed on Thursday 2 April 2026. The teams focused on areas affected by wind, rainfall and coastal processes.

Field observations included photographic documentation, inspection of structural elements and assessments of water ingress and damage to building envelopes. Wind speed data from Bureau of Meteorology Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) were analysed and corrected for terrain and topography to benchmark building performance against relevant standards. This data was augmented with information from simple structures such as road signs (windicators) and a numerical model of the cyclone winds to derive a wind field for the event.

The study aimed to identify recurrent vulnerabilities and contribute to the evidence base supporting improved building codes, construction practice and community preparedness in cyclonic regions.

Research team
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Dr David Henderson
Researcher
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A/Prof Geoffrey Boughton
Researcher
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Simon Ingham
Researcher
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Bronwyn Smith
Researcher
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Justin McAulay
Researcher
Project details

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle crossed the coast of Queensland on Cape York Peninsula, Northern Territory in east Arnhem Land and Western Australia near Coral Bay in the Gascoyne region.

The main region of damage investigated in this report is the western Pilbara and Gascoyne regions including Exmouth, Learmonth, Coral Bay, Carnarvon and Gascoyne Junction in Western Australia. Through this area, the peak recorded and estimated wind gusts were around 60% to 70% of the design wind speed for Importance Level 2 buildings. This meant that wind loads were around 35% to 50% of the ultimate design wind loads for buildings in the area of the field investigation.

Despite the relatively low wind speeds, some new buildings and some old buildings experienced damage. Damage from rainwater ingress was more common than structural damage. The investigation showed that the extent of water damage to buildings could be severe for even small holes through which the leakage is driven. Water came through any type of structural damage including verandas and flashings, but also through flashings and windows where there was no structural damage.

In some older buildings, damage to structural elements was caused by corrosion or rot in structural elements. This was particularly the case for exposed elements such as verandas.

A few buildings experienced failure because of high internal pressures, and one building had significant damage from the combination of storm surge and wave action which impacted the walls of the building.

The investigation in the agricultural areas of the Gascoyne also highlighted concerns with the performance of agricultural shade structures.

The investigation highlighted damage to both ground-mounted and roof top solar PV systems even though wind loads were between 35% and 50% of the wind actions for Importance Level 2 buildings. Solar panels that became wind-borne debris caused damage to other buildings and in some cases travelled over 1 kilometre.

The report makes recommendations about:

  • maintenance of buildings
  • selection of corrosion resistant materials for structural elements in coastal environments
  • design and construction of buildings in cyclone regions
  • fixing of solar PV panels.
Publications
Year Type Citation
22/07 Report Tropical Cyclone Narelle: Insights on resilience