Cyclone Tracy 50th Anniversary Commemorations

Published 29 November 2024

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy.  Join in and honour the resilience of survivors and the lives lost.

Commemorative events will take place throughout November and December, with memorial services, historical exhibitions, and storytelling sessions.

To find out more visit Cyclone Tracy – 50^th Anniversary Commemorations.

Cyclone Tracy facts

• The cyclone struck Darwin early on Christmas morning in 1974. Between midnight and 7 am, the cyclone’s eye passed over the city, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds.
• Windspeeds were recorded at 217 km/h before the Bureau of Meteorology’s anemometer was destroyed.
• The impact was catastrophic with over 70% of Darwin’s homes destroyed or severely damaged, and all public services—including communications, power, water, and sewerage—were cut off.
• Of the city’s 47,000 residents, 41,000 people were left homeless, and 35,362 were evacuated from Darwin after the event.
• Cyclone Tracy claimed at least 66 lives and forever changed Darwin’s identity.
• Tracy’s impact led to sweeping reforms in building codes and disaster preparedness across Australia.