State of the Reef Report 2006: Initial survey of the impact of Tropical Cyclone Larry on reefs and islands in the Central Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Tropical Cyclone Larry (TC Larry) crossed the Queensland coast on 20 March 2006, close to the town of Innisfail. TC Larry was a severe Category 5 cyclone and generated a 50km wide band of ‘very destructive’ winds between Cairns and Tully. To the north ‘destructive’ winds were experienced in a band between Cairns and Cape Tribulation. To the south ‘destructive’ winds were experienced between Tully and the Hinchinbrook/Cardwell region. To assess the impact of TC Larry, the Research and Monitoring Coordination Unit inspected eight reefs between Townsville and Cairns (between 17º and 19º South). This included surveying six reefs primarily for Cyclone impacts, and an additional two reefs as part of the on-going Coral Bleaching Response Programme. These reefs lie perpendicular to TC Larry’s track and represent exposure to a variety of wind strengths.