Cyclone Tracy killed 66 people and destroyed more than 70 percent of Darwin’s homes. This talk will provide an overview of the work from CSIRO researcher (Dr Bob Leicester) who led a survey of building damage in the immediate aftermath of Tracy. The analysis of data collected on wind damage from Tracy to buildings from across Darwin’s suburbs provided the basis for a framework to assess the effects of cyclonic winds on different building types. This framework was used to improve building standards and inform ongoing research on building performance for extreme wind events. The talk will conclude with the implications of a changing climate on tropical cyclone risks in Darwin and the resilience of Darwin’s built form.

Image credit: Dr Bob Leicester (CSIRO)