 |
RAPID
RESPONSE: Planning, preparation and quick action helped to minimise the overall
harm caused by Cyclone Larry. |
Volume
49, No. 5, April 6, 2006
HMAS
Cairns’ (CMDR Andrew Dakin) Cyclone Avoidance Plan 2005/6 swung into action
on March 20 as Cyclone Larry, Category 3 and intensifying, gathered momentum in
the Coral Sea.
A recall of the ship’s company enabled the base to
be promptly locked down as well as assisting Cairns-based fleet units to either
sail or move as required. Ships either sailed to avoid the weather or to seek
shelter in Wah day Ck, Trinity Inlet, protected by the natural surrounds of the
mangrove forest.
A fine day with gentle sea breezes was certainly no indication
of what was to occur less than 24 hours later.
The constant rain that
normally precedes and accompanies a cyclone did not occur with Larry and was an
indication that this was no run-of-the-mill cyclone.
As the Command intently
watched the progress and track of Larry on the BOM site from the Operations Room,
personnel were released to tend to their own properties.
It soon became
clear that Larry would hit somewhere between Port Douglas and Innisfail, so the
only thing left to do was stock up with supplies and wait. Plan Ironbark White
was activated.
When it hit, the full brunt of the category 5 cyclone, with
winds gusting up to 290kph, was felt by the people of Innisfail and the more immediate
and lower surrounding areas.
The cyclone caused major structural damage
to buildings as well as decimating cropping areas. Coastal communities sustained
damage and major flooding.
The Cairns area was effected by ferocious winds,
gusts of up to 190kph causing numerous trees to be uprooted and the downing of
a number of power lines in the suburbs. Fences and garden sheds also succumbed
to the highly erratic winds. Amazingly, the city centre of Cairns was hardly effected
and the base sustained only minor tree damage.
Pre-planned Base Response
Teams were mobilised and assisted many Defence families to secure their properties
from fallen trees and other debris.
Simultaneously, ships were returning
alongside from their shelters and preparing for the inevitable tasking in response
to Plan Ironbark.
Operation Larry Assist saw CBFUs Wewak, Labuan and Tarakan
tasked by MC under Task Group 627.3 sailing for Mourilyan and Townsville. Wewak
(CTG LCDR Williams) was specifically tasked with surveying and assessing the approaches
to Mourilyan harbour, the harbour itself and the Government Wharf and ramp as
well as checking navigational aids day and night.
“All in all we
did well, our Cyclone Plan stood up and this enabled us to prepare the base quickly
for the unknown as well as providing assistance to the Fleet Units and Defence
community that we support”, CMDR Dakin said.
He said many valuable lessons
were learned, which is always to be expected.
