Ului

History

Severe Tropical Cyclone Ului was first identified on 9 March 2010 near Vanuatu and became one of the most rapidly intensifying cyclones on record, strengthening from a tropical storm to a Category 5 system within approximately 24 hours between 13 and 14 March. During this period, maximum sustained winds rose from around 100 km/h to 260 km/h, a rate of intensification comparable to Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Ului reached Category 5 intensity in the South Pacific — the first such storm since Severe Tropical Cyclone Percy in February 2005 — before gradually weakening as it tracked westward toward Australia.

The cyclone crossed the outlying Whitsunday Islands early on 21 March 2010 and made landfall near Airlie Beach, Queensland, as a Category 3 system with winds of around 150 km/h. Approximately 60,000 homes lost power across Mackay, Proserpine, Cannonvale, and surrounding communities, and some areas recorded over 400 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Roof damage and downed powerlines were widespread. Prior to landfall, large swells generated by the storm contributed to the death of teenage surf lifesaver Saxon Bird on the Gold Coast. In the Solomon Islands, Ului caused significant structural damage on Rennell, Makira, and Guadalcanal, destroying at least 13 homes, though no fatalities were recorded there. Total infrastructure damage in Queensland reached approximately A$20 million, with agricultural losses estimated at A$60 million.

Sources: Bureau of Meteorology report Wikipedia