Cyclone Ilona
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilona caused moderate damage across the Pilbara region of Western Australia in mid-December 1988. The system originated from a monsoon trough that coalesced into a tropical low over the Timor Sea on 12 December. The system initially moved southwest, before moving on a more westerly course. Steady intensification occurred and Ilona reached its peak strength on 17 December as a low-end severe tropical cyclone. A southward turn directed the cyclone toward Western Australia, and it made landfall near Mardie Station. The system subsequently degraded over land and dissipated on 19 December.
| Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
Cyclone Ilona at peak intensity on 17 December | |
| Formed | 12 December 1988 |
| Dissipated | 19 December 1988 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 130 km/h (80 mph) 1-minute sustained: 155 km/h (100 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 960 hPa (mbar); 28.35 inHg |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Damage | $725,000 (1988 USD) |
| Areas affected | Western Australia |
| Part of the 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season | |
The cyclone's effects were relatively limited, though locally significant damage was reported in areas such as Dampier and Karratha. Several homes lost their roof and downed power lines left towns without power for several days. No casualties were reported, damage amounted to A$1 million (US$725,000), and the name Ilona was retired after the season.