Cyclone Joan
Severe Tropical Cyclone Joan was an intense tropical cyclone that ravaged areas of Western Australia. Forming out of a tropical low on 30 November 1975, Joan gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 5 December, the storm abruptly began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 215 km/h (130 mph) and a barometric pressure of 915 hPa (27.02 inHg). Joan only weakened slightly before making landfall in the vicinity of Mundabullagana. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall before dissipating over Western Australia on 12 December.
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone (Aus scale) | |
|---|---|
| Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS) | |
Cyclone Joan at peak intensity on 7 December | |
| Formed | 30 November 1975 |
| Dissipated | 10 December 1975 |
| Highest winds | 10-minute sustained: 215 km/h (130 mph) 1-minute sustained: 230 km/h (145 mph) Gusts: 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 915 hPa (mbar); 27.02 inHg |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | $31 million (1975 USD) |
| Areas affected | Western Australia |
| Part of the 1975–76 Australian region cyclone season | |
Although no fatalities resulted from Joan, the cyclone caused widespread destruction across areas of Western Australia. In Port Hedland, most of the structures were damaged as a result of the storm. In addition, 1,000 homes in the town were damaged or destroyed. Further inland, record rainfall caused widespread flooding in many areas, causing many rivers and streams to overflow. Due to the severity of the storm, the name Joan was retired after the season.