The Social, Economic and Environmental impacts of Cyclone Tracy:
As Cyclone Tracy was one of the most catastrophic tropical cyclones that Australia has ever experienced, it has had both short and long term social, economic and environmental impacts on the community.
Social - Cyclone Tracy killed 71 people and seriously injured over 100 people and caused over 500 minor injuries. 41,000 people where left homeless after their houses were destroyed. Families were wrenched apart and many lost loved ones and were put under extreme stress because of the major loss of property and possessions. Thousands of aid workers were required to rescue people, rebuild houses, fix services, bring fresh water, food and other supplies.
Economic - Cyclone Tracy absolutely tore Darwin apart. The total damage cost was $950 million and the Federal government passed the Darwin Reconstruction Act in February 1975, which provided $300 million to help rebuild Darwin. Darwin's population went from 45000 to 10500 people and as many of the original inhabitants did not return, Darwin's economy dropped dramatically. Also, the majority of the crops and food harvest were all ruined, costing the farmers large amounts of money and contributing to the already low economy in Darwin.
Environmental - The impact that Cyclone Tracy had on Darwin and the surrounding area's environment was catastrophic. Trees were uprooted and flung around, the wreckage left behind from buildings was thrown all over Darwin and there were no water supplies left for the thousands of suddenly homeless peoplvbne and animals as the water was all contaminated from the now broken sewage lines that had leaked poisons into the environment. Also, the cyclone resulted in the loss of animals and their habitats due to the litter that now covered every inch of Darwin.
Social - Cyclone Tracy killed 71 people and seriously injured over 100 people and caused over 500 minor injuries. 41,000 people where left homeless after their houses were destroyed. Families were wrenched apart and many lost loved ones and were put under extreme stress because of the major loss of property and possessions. Thousands of aid workers were required to rescue people, rebuild houses, fix services, bring fresh water, food and other supplies.
Economic - Cyclone Tracy absolutely tore Darwin apart. The total damage cost was $950 million and the Federal government passed the Darwin Reconstruction Act in February 1975, which provided $300 million to help rebuild Darwin. Darwin's population went from 45000 to 10500 people and as many of the original inhabitants did not return, Darwin's economy dropped dramatically. Also, the majority of the crops and food harvest were all ruined, costing the farmers large amounts of money and contributing to the already low economy in Darwin.
Environmental - The impact that Cyclone Tracy had on Darwin and the surrounding area's environment was catastrophic. Trees were uprooted and flung around, the wreckage left behind from buildings was thrown all over Darwin and there were no water supplies left for the thousands of suddenly homeless peoplvbne and animals as the water was all contaminated from the now broken sewage lines that had leaked poisons into the environment. Also, the cyclone resulted in the loss of animals and their habitats due to the litter that now covered every inch of Darwin.