PM Submission - Thomas Kearney - MCU18/0015

The Great Gold Coast Cyclone - February 1954 - ABC
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It was
   was an unnamed cyclone that hit Queensland in 1954, but the scale of damage and
loss of life earned it the title 'the Great Gold Coast Cyclone'.

The tropical cyclone crossed the south-east Queensland coast at Coolangatta about
10pm on Saturday, February 20, 1954.

The storm's widespread damaging effects were felt from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney,
with heavy rainfall as far south as Tasmania.

The Bureau of Meteorology reports between 26 to 30 people died as a result of the
flooding, severe winds and storm surges.

The Great Gold Coast Cyclone

Facts about the Gold Coast Cyclone

    • Crossed the coast on Saturday, February 20, 1954
    • Estimated 26-30 deaths
    • Millions of pounds in damage
    • Category-three cyclone
    • Impact felt from Sunshine Coast to Sydney

The TC moved from the Coral Sea and hit Queensland with a pressure reading of 973
hPa, but some reports in the area put it at 962 hPa.

Brisbane was buffeted by wind-gusts of more than 100km/h.