Christine

History

Tropical Cyclone Christine developed from a broad monsoonal circulation northwest of Western Australia, with the Bureau of Meteorology identifying a discrete centre on 25 December 2013. The system was named Christine on 28 December after reaching Category 1 intensity, then rapidly intensified through Category 2 and Category 3 before reaching Category 4 on 30 December. Around midnight on 31 December 2013, Christine made landfall on the Pilbara coast between Roebourne and Whim Creek, with the eye tracking directly over Roebourne and the edge of the eyewall affecting Wickham.

Roebourne and Wickham sustained the most significant damage, with a peak wind gust of 172 km/h recorded at Roebourne. Many homes lost roofs or suffered collapse from wind and rainwater, and widespread tree damage was reported. The entire town of Roebourne briefly lost power. Rainfall was heavy across the Pilbara, with gauge readings exceeding 130 mm in Roebourne before the instrument failed, and a daily maximum of 168 mm recorded at Abydos North. Karratha and Port Hedland experienced only minor flooding and wind damage. Mining and shipping operations were suspended for around three days, with an estimated 3–4.5 million tonnes of iron ore exports lost across the region. As Christine's remnants moved southeast, the system contributed to extreme heat and fire danger conditions across central Australia, with temperatures approaching record levels in parts of South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. The name Christine was subsequently retired and replaced with Catherine.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia