Cyclone Alby
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 Western Australia. 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.
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
Satellite image of Cyclone Alby on 2 April 1978 | |
| Formed | 27 March 1978 |
| Dissipated | 5 April 1978 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 205 km/h (125 mph) 1-minute sustained: 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 930 hPa (mbar); 27.46 inHg |
| Fatalities | 2 direct, 3 indirect |
| Damage | $45 million (1978 USD) |
| Areas affected | Western Australia |
| Part of the 1977–78 Australian region cyclone season | |
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) and destroyed two towns. Five fatalities are attributed to Alby and the associated brushfires. The resulting damage was extensive, with monetary losses reaching A$50 million (US$45 million).