View source for Cyclone George

{{Short description|Category 5 Australian region cyclone in 2007}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Severe Tropical Cyclone George
| image = George_2007-03-08_1150Z.jpg
| caption = Cyclone George making landfall on Western Australia at its peak intensity on 8 March
| formed = {{start date|2007|02|26|df=y}}
| remnant-low = {{start date|2007|03|10|df=y}}
| dissipated = {{start date|2007|03|13|df=y}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/BoM
| winds = 110
| pressure = 902
| pressure-suffix = {{small| (Third lowest pressure in Australian basin)}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 110
| pressure = 941
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| currency = USD
| damages = 15700000
| deaths= 5
| affected = [[Northern Territory]], [[Western Australia]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2006–07 Australian region cyclone season]]
}}

'''Severe Tropical Cyclone George''' was one of the [[List of the most intense tropical cyclones#Australia region|most powerful Australian tropical cyclones]] on record, attaining a minimum [[barometric pressure]] of 902&nbsp;[[Bar (unit)|mbar]] ([[Pascal (unit)|hPa]]; 26.64&nbsp;[[Inches of Mercury|inHg]]). It was also the strongest tropical cyclone [[Tropical cyclones in 2007|worldwide in 2007]] and the last Australian region tropical cyclone to achieve this record to date. The cyclone formed on 26 February 2007 in the [[Northern Territory]]'s [[Top End]], and intensified when it entered the [[Joseph Bonaparte Gulf]], before crossing the northern coast of the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley]]. It moved over the [[Indian Ocean]], intensifying to a Category&nbsp;4 cyclone, and eventually crossed the [[Pilbara]] coast just east of [[Port Hedland]] at peak intensity. After further analysis from the [[Bureau of Meteorology]], George was reclassified to Category 5. The cyclone caused significant damage to the town of Port Hedland and numerous isolated mining camps around the town. Losses in the Northern Territory amounted to at least [[Australian dollar|A$]]12&nbsp;million. Two people died and more than a dozen others were infected in a [[melioidosis]] outbreak following the Northern Territory floods. Insured damage in Western Australia amounted to $8&nbsp;million, and there were three fatalities.

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|George 2007 track.png}}
On 24 February 2007, an [[area of low pressure]] began consolidating over the [[Arafura Sea]]. By 26 February, the [[Bureau of Meteorology]] (BOM) warning centre in [[Darwin, Australia|Darwin]] classified the system as a tropical low with its centre situated {{convert|230|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Nhulunbuy]]. Over the following days, the system meandered around the [[Top End]] region and showed signs of gradual [[Tropical cyclogenesis|organisation]]. Initial forecasts depicted the low as moving gradually eastward and becoming a significant cyclone over the [[Gulf of Carpentaria]]; however, after approaching [[Milingimbi Island]] on 1 March, the system doubled back to the west in response to a [[subtropical ridge]] over central Australia.<ref name="GP"/><ref name="JTWCadvs"/> Though overland, the cyclone remained well-organized (a typical occurrence for tropical lows over Top End). Deep [[Atmospheric convection|convection]] blossomed on 2 March, as the system approached the [[Joseph Bonaparte Gulf]].<ref name="GP">{{cite web |author1=Gary Padgett |author2=Kevin Boyle |author3=Simon Clarke |publisher=Australia Severe Weather |date=26 May 2007 |access-date=1 January 2015 |title=Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary: March 2007 |url=http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2007/summ0703.htm |type=Report}}</ref> Owing to favourable upper-level [[Outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] and decreasing [[wind shear]], the [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC) issued a [[Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert]] for the system that day.<ref name="JTWCadvs">{{cite web |work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=Australia Severe Weather |date=9 March 2007 |access-date=1 January 2015 |title=Tropical Cyclone George Joint Typhoon Warning Center Advisories |url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2007/tropical_cyclone_george.htm}}</ref> The agency estimated the formation of a tropical depression, assigning it the identifier ''17S'', by 00:00&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (9:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Australian Time|ACST]]) on 3 March while it was still over land.<ref name="JTWCBT">{{cite web |work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |publisher=United States Navy |year=2008 |access-date=1 January 2015 |title=Cyclone 17S (George) Best Track |url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2007/2007s-bsh/bsh172007.txt |format=.TXT |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045432/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2007/2007s-bsh/bsh172007.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hours later, the low emerged over the Gulf and acquired gale-force winds while situated {{convert|75|km|mi|abbr=on}} south-southeast of [[Gunbalanya]].<ref name="GP"/> In light of this, the Darwin warning centre initiated advisories on ''Tropical Cyclone George'',<ref name="BOM">{{cite report |work=Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=12 October 2007 |access-date=2 January 2015 |title=Meteorological Aspects of Severe Tropical Cyclone George's Impact on the Pilbara |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/george.pdf }}</ref> marking the first time since [[Cyclone Fay]], in 2004, that the Darwin office [[Tropical cyclone naming|named a storm]].<ref name="GP"/>

George quickly intensified once offshore, with a very small [[Eye (cyclone)|banding eye]] of approximately {{convert|8|km|mi|abbr=on}} in diameter appearing on [[Special sensor microwave/imager|SSMI satellite imagery]],<ref name="JTWCadvs"/><ref name="BOMBT">{{cite web |publisher=Bureau of Meteorology |date=8 January 2015 |access-date=8 January 2015 |title=Australian Tropical Cyclone Database: Past Tropical Cyclone Tracks |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/clim_data/IDCKMSTM0S.csv |format=.CSV}}</ref> and gained winds of 95&nbsp;km/h (60&nbsp;mph) by 18:00&nbsp;UTC (3:00&nbsp;a.m. [[Australian Time|AWST]] on 4 March).<ref name="GP"/> The system subsequently made [[Landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] in the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)|Kimberley region]] of [[Western Australia]] at that intensity hours later.<ref name="BOM"/> Substantial structural degradation took place over land, with the eye feature dissipating,<ref name="JTWCadvs"/> and the BOM estimated the system to have briefly weakened to a tropical low before emerging over the extreme eastern Indian Ocean late on 4 March.<ref name="BOM"/> Once offshore, George regained tropical cyclone strength as it moved steadily west away from Australia. Intensification was slow due to a lack of outflow and increased wind shear.<ref name="GP"/> Over the following few days, most [[Numerical weather prediction|forecast models]] indicated that George would gradually turn to the south as it rounded the subtropical ridge and possibly strike areas between [[Exmouth, Western Australia|Exmouth]] and [[Onslow, Western Australia|Onslow]] by 9 March. The models continued to indicate this scenario through 6 March, resulting in a high-confidence forecast from the [[Perth]] warning centre.<ref name="Forecast">{{cite report |author=Jim Davidson |work=Bureau of Meteorology |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |date=5 November 2007 |access-date=2 January 2015 |title=Challenging Aspects of Severe Tropical Cyclone George's Track Forecasts |url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/wwrp/pdf%20files/5%20Nov/JDavidson.pdf }}</ref>
[[File:George 2007-03-08 1715Z.jpg|thumb|Cyclone George at landfall on 8 March, 2007]]
However, on 7 March George took an abrupt, nearly 90&nbsp;degree left turn through a weakness in the ridge and began moving almost due south.<ref name="GP"/> This turn caught meteorologists almost entirely off-guard, with only the United Kingdom [[Met Office]] ensemble model depicting this scenario. Post-storm reviews of the forecasting failure pointed toward four factors that may have influenced George at the time but were not initialised by the models: the [[extratropical cyclone|extratropical transition]] of [[2006–07 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season#Tropical Cyclone Humba|Cyclone Humba]] well upstream over the Indian Ocean, a [[Fujiwhara effect|Fujiwhara interaction]] with [[2006–07 Australian region cyclone season#Severe Tropical Cyclone Jacob|Cyclone Jacob]] to the northwest, the [[Tropical cyclone#Beta drift|Beta drift effect]], and poorly represented [[monsoon]]al flow. Of these factors, the monsoonal flow was determined to have been the main cause in the poor track forecast as models did not capture the degree of influence of these winds on the cyclone.<ref name="Forecast"/> This resulted in the forecast track for George having the greatest error of any cyclone in the Western Australian region in at least five years. The average error of {{convert|477|km|mi|abbr=on}} at 48&nbsp;hours was comparable to the average accuracy of forecasts in the 1980s.<ref name="BOM"/>

Coinciding with George's turn south was a notable improvement of environmental factors. Wind shear, previously inhibiting organisation, began to decrease while a nearby [[upper-level low]] enhanced the system's outflow.<ref name="GP"/> The favourable condition allowed for an increase in both strength and size, with both the BOM and JTWC estimating the cyclone to have attained hurricane-force winds by 12:00&nbsp;UTC (8:00&nbsp;pm. AWST) on 7 March.<ref name="JTWCBT"/><ref name="BOM"/>{{#tag:ref|Hurricane-force winds are equivalent to 119&nbsp;km/h (74&nbsp;mph) or greater.|group="nb"|name="hurricanewinds"}} By early on 8 March, George featured an area of gale-force winds spanning nearly {{convert|400|km|mi|abbr=on}} across, significantly larger than average.<ref name="BOM"/> A large cloud-filled eye soon developed before a sudden period of [[Rapid deepening|rapid intensification]] ensued.<ref name="JTWCadvs"/><ref name="BOMBT"/> During this phase, the cyclone's eye steadily contracted to a minimum diameter of roughly {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="BOMBT"/> Between 09:00 and 10:00&nbsp;UTC (5:00–6:00&nbsp;pm. AWST) on 8 March, George passed directly over [[Bedout Island]].<ref name="GP"/> As the eyewall moved over the island, a record-breaking [[Maximum sustained wind|ten-minute sustained wind speed]] of {{convert|194|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} was measured, until it was surpassed by [[Cyclone Ilsa]] in 2023.<ref name="Twitter">{{Cite tweet|number=1646513163763089412|user=BOM_WA|title=#CycloneIlsa has set a new preliminary Australian ten-minute sustained wind speed record of 218km/h at Bedout Island! Cyclone George was the previous record holder with 194km/h back in 2007 at the very same location!|author=Bureau of Meteorology, Western Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413153012/https://twitter.com/BOM_WA/status/1646513163763089412|archive-date=13 April 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Based on the extreme winds measured on Bedout and additional intensification thereafter, George was estimated to have reached its peak intensity at 12:00&nbsp;UTC (8:00&nbsp;pm. AWST) with winds of 205&nbsp;km/h (125&nbsp;mph) and an estimated [[barometric pressure]] of 902&nbsp;[[Bar (unit)|mbar]] ([[Pascal (unit)|hPa]]; 26.64&nbsp;[[Inches of Mercury|inHg]]).<ref name="BOM"/> Automated [[Dvorak technique|Dvorak classifications]] from the [[Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies]] at [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]] peaked at 6.8, equivalent to a high-end [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale#Category 4|Category&nbsp;4]] on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]], as the storm moved ashore.<ref>{{cite web|work=Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies|publisher=University of Wisconsin–Madison|date=9 March 2007|access-date=4 January 2015|title=Tropical Cyclone 17S Automated Dvorak Classifications|url=http://tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/real-time/adt/archive2007/17S-list.txt|format=.TXT}}</ref>

At 10 p.m on 8 March, Cyclone George made landfall {{convert|50|km|mi}} north-east of [[Port Hedland]].<ref name=BOMTCgeorge1>{{cite web|title=Severe Tropical Cyclone George|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/george.shtml|work=Previous Cyclones|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=26 November 2011}}</ref> When it made landfall, it was still at its peak intensity.<ref name=BOMTCgeorge1 /> Damaging wind gusts of {{convert|154|km/h|mph}} were recorded at [[Port Hedland Airport]] weather station just before 11&nbsp;pm.<ref name=STCgeorgeReport2 /> The anemometer failed shortly afterwards.<ref name=STCgeorgeReport2 /> At 00:12 on 9 March, an air pressure reading of {{convert|962.7|hPa|inHg}} was recorded at Port Hedland Airport; this was lowest recorded at the airport during the passage of the cyclone.<ref name=STCgeorgeReport2 /> George weakened slowly while over land and it was downgraded to a Category&nbsp;3 late on 9 March. The next day, the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre in Perth issued its final warning for the system. George's remnants continued drifting southeastward and then southward over the next 3 days, before dissipating on 13 March, in southern Australia.

==Preparations==
Cyclone George resulted in numerous schools and ports in Port Hedland being closed down to deal with the severe cyclone.<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21347123-1702,00.html WA towns brace for cyclone]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, ''[[The Australian]]''</ref> [[Mining]] and  [[Oil & Gas]] companies had to ultimately close to also deal with the threat of the imminent cyclone. People were additionally evacuated from low lying levels near the sea, and moved either to higher ground, or further inland to Cyclone Shelters.<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,21346140-462,00.html Cyclone disrupts WA oil, gas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314093107/http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,21346140-462,00.html |date=14 March 2007 }}[[News.com.au]]</ref>

==Impact==

===Northern Territory===
[[File:Tropical Low George.ogv|thumb|right|Effects from the precursor low to George in the Northern Territory]]
As a developing tropical low, George produced prolonged heavy, in some cases record-breaking, rain across much of the [[Northern Territory]] in late February through early March.<ref name="MarchRain"/> The most prolific rains took place as the system strengthened and began moving away from the region. In a five-day span, numerous areas saw more than a month's worth of precipitation.<ref>{{cite news|author=Julia Kogan|newspaper=Darwin Palmerston Sun|date=8 March 2007|title=Month rain in five days|page=2}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Several towns and cities saw single-day rainfall records for March shattered by the system most notably [[Jabiru Airport]] with {{convert|393.4|mm|in|abbr=on}} falling on 1 March, more than three times the previous highest. Other places that broke daily records include [[Adelaide River, Northern Territory|Adelaide River]], [[Black Point, Northern Territory|Black Point]], [[Channel Island, Northern Territory|Channel Island]], [[Elizabeth Valley, Northern Territory|Elizabeth Valley]], [[Howard Springs, Northern Territory|Howard Springs]], [[Mango Farm, Northern Territory|Mango Farm]], Gunbalanya, Territory Wildlife Farm, Thorak Cemetery, and [[Walker Creek, Northern Territory|Walker Creek]]. The tremendous rains also resulted in many areas seeing their wettest March on record.<ref name="MarchRain">{{cite web|work=Northern Territory Climate Services Centre|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|date=3 April 2007|access-date=4 January 2015|title=Widespread flooding in the Top End while hot and wet in the south – Northern Territory in March 2007|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/month/nt/archive/200703.summary.shtml}}</ref>

Widespread flooding resulted from the rains in the region, with some areas becoming isolated by 2 March.<ref name="NT1"/> Extensive damage was incurred by region's roadways, with losses reaching [[Australian dollar|$]]12&nbsp;million. Officials referred to the effects of the flooding as the worst in 40&nbsp;years.<ref name="NTroads2">{{cite news|publisher=[[Northern Territory News]]|date=17 April 2007|title=Storms leave $12m road bill|page=2}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Portions of the [[Kakadu Highway|Kakadu]] and [[Arnhem Highway|Arnhem]] highways were shut down, with the latter expected to remain so for a week.<ref name="NT1"/> Throughout the Top End region, a collective 101&nbsp;bridges and roads were closed due to flooding.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Northern Territory News|date=10 March 2007|title=101 roads, bridges closed|page=5}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Workers at the [[Ranger Uranium Mine]] in [[Jabiru, Northern Territory|Jabiru]] were forced to camp out at the mine as floodwaters overtook the area.<ref name="NT1"/> The mine's pit was inundated and forced to shut down for nine days while processing had to be suspended for two weeks. The resulting loss in production cost [[Energy Resources of Australia]] 300&nbsp;[[tonne]]s (330&nbsp;[[ton]]s) of [[uranium]]. According to resource analysts, the negative impacts of the flood in addition to lingering effects from [[Cyclone Monica]] in 2006 would result in a two percent decrease in the global supply of uranium by 2008.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Vaughan|publisher=[[Australian Financial Review]]|date=3 April 2007|title=ERA's output hit by flooding|page=17}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Economic losses sustained by the Energy Resources of Australia were estimated to reach $200&nbsp;million.<ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/business/heavy-rains-play-havoc-with-era-output-20070403-gdptuf.html Heavy rains play havoc with ERA output] ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' 3 April 2007</ref> At least one house nearby was submerged.<ref name="NT1"/>

Just south of Jabiru, 35&nbsp;people were airlifted from the Gagudju Lodge in [[Cooinda, Northern Territory|Cooinda]].<ref name="NT2">[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-03-02/rainfall-causes-flooding-in-oenpelli/2207134 Rainfall causes flooding in Oenpelli] ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'' 2 March 2007</ref> Helicopters were used to drop food to personnel stranded at outstations in the [[Kakadu National Park]].<ref name="NT1">{{cite news|author=Greg McClean|publisher=Northern Territory News|date=2 March 2007|title=Miners stranded as floodwaters rise|page=5}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Severe storms in the park spawned a rare [[tornado]] near the Mary River Ranger Station. The {{convert|300|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide twister levelled trees and destroyed caravans along a {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} path. In some cases, trees were even debarked.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=20 March 2007|access-date=10 January 2015|title=Tornado formed 3 weeks ago in Kakadu|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-03-20/tornado-formed-3-weeks-ago-in-kakadu/2221674}}</ref> Based on the damage, the tornado was estimated to have had winds between {{convert|230|and|270|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="GP"/> [[Severe thunderstorm]]s battered [[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]] on 3 March with frequent [[lightning]], torrential rain, and destructive wind gusts up to 120&nbsp;km/h (75&nbsp;mph). Downed trees and power lines left 10,000&nbsp;residents without electricity and flooded roadways isolated some in suburban areas.<ref name="NT7"/><ref name="NT6">{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=3 March 2007|title=Storms douse Darwin, cut roads}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Flight delays were common at [[Darwin International Airport]], while two had to be cancelled.<ref name="NT7">{{cite news|author=Rebekah Cavanagh|publisher=Northern Territory News|date=3 March 2007|title=Power out, rains cut roads|page=7}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Four people in Adelaide River required rescue from their home. Debris from flooding in the town left main street and a nearby bridge impassible.<ref name="NT3">{{cite news|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=3 March 2007|title=Woman and children rescued from NT flood waters|location=Darwin, Australia}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref>

The most severe flooding took place in Gunbalanya which saw roughly {{convert|930|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rain in less than a week.<ref name="NTDisaster">{{cite report|publisher=Government of Australia|year=2013|access-date=4 January 2015|title=Northern Territory Disaster Risk Assessment|url=http://www.securent.nt.gov.au/docs/risk_assessment_summary.pdf|page=14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105043237/http://www.securent.nt.gov.au/docs/risk_assessment_summary.pdf|archive-date=5 January 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Evacuation of 90&nbsp;people from 47&nbsp;homes in the town took place on 3 March as rising waters from the local [[billabong]] became contaminated with sewage.<ref name="NT3"/><ref name="NT4"/> Residents initially attempted to protect their homes with [[sandbag]]s but waters rose too fast and over-topped the barrier.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rebekah Cavanagh|publisher=Northern Territory News|date=7 March 2007|title=Family loses all in storm|page=5}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Waters reached halfway up homes in the lowest lying areas, with high tide expected to reach {{convert|7.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} on 4 March.<ref name="NT4">{{cite news|publisher=Sunday Territorian|date=4 March 2007|title=Oenpelli braces for high tide|page=5}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Waters began subsiding in the town by 6 March, though low-lying areas remained partially submerged.<ref name="NT5"/> More than 60&nbsp;homes sustained flood-related damage.<ref name="NTDisaster"/> The local school and its library sustained extensive damage, with the latter being damaged beyond repair.<ref name="NT5">{{cite news|author=Rebekah Cavanagh|publisher=Northern Territory News|date=6 March 2007|title=Trail of damage in wake of late Wet|page=4}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> An estimated 350 of the 1,400&nbsp;cattle kept in [[paddock]]s near the community were swept away during the flood;<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=6 March 2007|title=Oenpelli residents feared for their lives during flooding}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> at least 70&nbsp;were known to have drowned by 7 March.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Northern Territory News|date=7 March 2007|title=Cattle go missing in heavy floods|page=5}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref>

===Western Australia===
{{Most intense Australian cyclones|align=right}}
Cyclone George was the most powerful cyclone to hit Port Hedland since [[Cyclone Joan]] in 1975.<ref name=BOMTCgeorge1 /> The cyclone's peak intensity of 902 hPa (26.64 inHg) with wind gusts of up to {{convert|285|km/h|mph}} was estimated following [[Dvorak technique|Dvorak]] analysis of satellite imagery.<ref name=STCgeorgeReport1>{{cite web|title=Meteorological Aspects of Severe Tropical Cyclone George's Impact on the Pilbara|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/george.pdf|publisher= Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=27 November 2011|page=4|year=2007}}</ref>

Power and telephone lines were down in Port Hedland, many roofs and fences were torn down and trees were uprooted.<ref>[http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/03/09/2001_news.html Cyclone George] ''[[Geelong Advertiser]]'' 9 March 2007</ref> At least one house was destroyed.<ref name=GeorgeABCNews2>{{cite web|title=Three reported dead after WA cyclone|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1867602.htm|work=ABC News|access-date=26 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312093110/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1867602.htm|archive-date=12 March 2007 |year=2007}}</ref> The Pilbara region was declared a [[disaster area|disaster zone]], and the [[Australian Defence Force]] was on standby to provide extra help.<ref name="GeorgeNews.com.au"/> At around 10 p.m on 8 March, the [[Bureau of Meteorology]]'s Port Hedland weather radar was damaged by the cyclone and was offline for nearly a day.<ref name=STCgeorgeReport2>{{cite web|title=Meteorological Aspects of Severe Tropical Cyclone George's Impact on the Pilbara|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/george.pdf|publisher=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=27 November 2011}}</ref> Tropical Cyclone [[Cyclone Jacob (2007)|Jacob]] struck almost the same area as George only three&nbsp;days later, although it was not as damaging or deadly as George. It did however cause some minor flooding.<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/announcements/sevwx/wa/watc20070305.shtml Tropical Cyclone Jacob Impacts], Bureau of Meteorology, 5 March 2007.</ref>

Three people were killed and twenty-eight others were injured as a result of the severe cyclone. One death and the majority of the people injured occurred at a [[Fortescue Metals Group]] camp,<ref name="GeorgeABCNews01">[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1868129.htm PM pledges extra funding for cyclone George victims]{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ABC News Online, 9 March 2007.</ref> about 100&nbsp;km (62.13&nbsp;mi) south of Port Hedland.<ref name="GeorgeKalgoorlieNews">[http://kalgoorlie.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?story_id=564672 At least two dead in George's wake]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, The Golden Mail</ref> Strong winds and flooding delayed the rescue efforts for most of the day.<ref name="GeorgeNews.com.au">[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21353966-5001028,00.html Deadly cyclone's fury not spent]{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} [[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]'' {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> However, all injured workers were airlifted to the hospital in Port Hedland after the cyclone passed.<ref name="GeorgeKalgoorlieNews"/> The deaths occurred when strong winds knocked over temporary accommodation shelters known as dongas. The second death occurred at Indee station, located between Port Hedland and the mining camp.<ref name="GeorgeNews.com.au"/> The man died from severe internal injuries while escaping from his wrecked donga, trying to seek help at the main station homestead.<ref>[https://archive.today/20080106102632/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1872120.htm WA police launch probe into third cyclone death], ABC News Online, 15 March 2007.</ref> A third death occurred when a man who was transferred to a [[Perth]] hospital on 11 March died due to the injuries received when the cyclone hit at the Fortescue camp.<ref name="GeorgeABCNews3deaths">[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1868813.htm Police to investigate cyclone deaths] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313192537/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1868813.htm |date=13 March 2007 }}, ABC News Online, 11 March 2007.</ref>

==Aftermath==

===Northern Territory===
Starting on 7 March, the Gunbalanya Health Clinic began warning residents of a possible [[melioidosis]] outbreak resulting from the floods. They urged residents to wear shoes and wash their hands before eating to avoid infection.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=7 March 2007|access-date=4 January 2015|title=Health warning for flooded oenpelli|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-03-07/health-warning-for-flooded-oenpelli/2211028}}</ref> More than a dozen people contracted the disease over the following weeks, with two dying as a result. Three others were hospitalised in the [[Royal Darwin Hospital]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=17 March 2007|title=NT flood disease kills 2}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Reconstruction of roads in and around Darwin began by 9 March; however, portions of the Arnhem Highway remained under water. The Department of Planning and Infrastructure stated that a {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}} bridge would have to be constructed over the [[Alligator Rivers|West Alligator River]] where a [[culvert]] collapsed.<ref name="NTroads">{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=9 March 2007|title=NT floods bring $5m clean-up bill}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> The $1.2&nbsp;million bridge was completed on 5 April and allowed Arnhem Highway to completely re-open.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Northern Territory News|date=5 April 2007|title=Highway re-opened|page=3}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Repair work on roads continued for more than a month, with additional rains in the following weeks creating additional [[pothole]]s.<ref name="NTroads2"/> A week after the floods, there was some concern over a delay in aid from the government; however, authorities assured that supplies would be provided in a timely manner once need assessments were complete.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=9 March 2007|access-date=4 January 2015|title=Govt denies delay in transporting emergency goods to oenpelli|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-03-09/govt-denies-delay-in-transporting-emergency-goods/2213256}}</ref> The [[Salvation Army]] began collecting supplies for the 90&nbsp;people rendered homeless by 13 March with additional requests for assistance made to the [[Australian Red Cross]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=13 March 2007|title=Salvos work to assist in Oenpelli floods aftermath}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref> Shipments of supplies to Gunbalanya began on 20 March, with a total of 14&nbsp;flights scheduled over two days. The airlifts brought more than $200,000 worth of goods, consisting of mattresses, blankets, sheets, refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves, to the community.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=20 March 2007|title=Flood relief airlifted into remote NT community}} {{subscription required|work=LexisNexis}}</ref>

===Western Australia===
[[File:George 09 mar 2007 0525Z.jpg|thumb|left|Cyclone George weakening inland over Western Australia on 9&nbsp;March]]
On 9 March, Prime Minister [[John Howard]] announced that persons injured by the storm or those whom lost their home would be eligible for funding through the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment program. The initiative ultimately provided 530&nbsp;people with a collective $630,000 in aid.<ref>{{cite web|work=Disaster Assist|publisher=[[Government of Australia]]|date=4 November 2014|access-date=10 January 2015|title=Tropical Cyclone George 2007|url=http://www.disasterassist.gov.au/PreviousDisasters/StateandTerritories/Pages/WA/TropicalCycloneGeorge2007.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111063206/http://www.disasterassist.gov.au/PreviousDisasters/StateandTerritories/Pages/WA/TropicalCycloneGeorge2007.aspx|archive-date=11 January 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

After Cyclone George struck the Pilbara coast, a relief fund was set up to help the victims of the storm. Mining companies, business, and residents all donated money to assist with the cause, and within 48 hours the town of Port Hedland was able to raise just over $520,000<ref>[https://archive.today/20080106102632/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1873184.htm Money pours into cyclone George relief fund] ''ABC News'' 16 March 2007.</ref> [[BHP]] also helped recover Port Hedland by giving the local government $1&nbsp;million each year which will fund for a large part of an enhancement scheme with the [[Government of Western Australia|Western Australian State Government]] to improve the town's appearance. Schools in [[South Hedland]] remained closed due to safety concerns about the damage caused by cyclones George and Jacob until 19 March, after the local community joined in a massive clean-up.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1875015.htm BHP Billiton offers funds advancement for cyclone-hit Port Hedland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070923171105/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1875015.htm |date=23 September 2007 }}, ABC News, 19 March 2007.</ref>

In commemoration of the deaths that took place, the Fortescue Metals Group commissioned the McNally Newton Landscape Architects to construct a memorial in [[South Hedland]]. Acclaimed sculptor [[Ron Gomboc]] designed a {{convert|12|m|ft|abbr=on}} twisted, steel monument for the project. The memorial was opened in March 2009, two years after the storm.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Emerge Associates|date=March 2009|access-date=10 January 2015|title=Cyclone George Memorial Dedicated|url=http://www.emergeassociates.com.au/news_pdf/51Cyclone-George.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111080056/http://www.emergeassociates.com.au/news_pdf/51Cyclone-George.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

====Lawsuits====
The [[Australian Workers' Union]] (AWU) launched a scathing attack on the Fortescue Metals Group, saying they were disgraced that no evacuation took place before the cyclone hit. The AWU were also concerned about the buildings at the campsite as they were only built to withstand a Category&nbsp;2 cyclone. Almost all of the buildings located at the camp site were destroyed.<ref name="GeorgeABCNews3deaths"/> Fortescue and its subsidiary the Pilbara Infrastructure (TPI) were charged with a combined 18 counts of failing to provide or maintain a safe workplace over Cyclone George and appeared in Perth Magistrates Court.<ref name="watoday.com.au">[http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/no-peace-for-family-after-fortescue-cleared-of-cyclone-deaths-20110218-1az1n.html 'No peace' for family after Fortescue cleared of cyclone deaths], WA Today, 18 February 2011.</ref> The Magistrate dismissed all charges and when that decision was appealed to the Supreme Court of Western Australia the appeal was also dismissed, with Justice Stephen Hall finding that Fortescue had met their duty to provide a safe workplace by engaging "qualified and experienced experts" to manage the dongas.<ref>[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2012/10/10/13/39/worksafe-cyclone-appeal-dismissed Worksafe cyclone appeal dismissed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221104652/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2012/10/10/13/39/worksafe-cyclone-appeal-dismissed |date=21 February 2014 }}, Nine MSN, 23 March 2013.</ref> Both courts had heard that the company contracted to build the dongas, NT Link, had given assurances to Fortescue that the dongas had been constructed to industry standards when it had not.<ref name="watoday.com.au"/> NT Link was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for its testimony against Fortescue.<ref>[http://www.dlapiper.com/australia/fortescue-decision/ DLA Piper successfully defends Fortescue Metals Group against Cyclone George charges] [[DLA Piper]] 10 May 2012.</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Tropical cyclones}}
* [[Tropical Storm George|Other storms named George]]
* [[List of cyclones in Western Australia]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Cyclone George}}
*[http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/pdf/george.pdf TC George Pilbara Impact Report] from the [[Bureau of Meteorology]]

{{2006–07 Australian region cyclone season buttons}}
{{Retired Australian cyclones}}
{{Category 5 Australian region tropical cyclones}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:George (2007)}}
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in Western Australia]]
[[Category:2007 in Australia]]
[[Category:2006–07 Australian region cyclone season]]
[[Category:Retired Australian region cyclones]]
[[Category:Category 5 Australian region cyclones]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2007|George]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:2000s in Western Australia]]
[[Category:2000s in the Northern Territory]]