 Orson at peak intensity on 22 April | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 17 April 1989 |
| Remnant low | 23 April 1989 |
| Dissipated | 24 April 1989 |
| Category 5 severe tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (BOM) | |
| Highest winds | 240 km/h (150 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 904 hPa (mbar); 26.70 inHg (Fourth lowest pressure in Australian basin)[1] |
| Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 5 direct |
| Damage | $16.8 million (1989 USD) |
| Areas affected | Western Australia |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1988–89 Australian region cyclone season | |
Severe Tropical Cyclone Orson was the fourth most intense cyclone ever recorded in the Australian region.[2] Forming out of a tropical low on 17 April 1989, Orson gradually intensified as it tracked towards the west. After attaining Category 5 intensity on 20 April, the storm began to track southward and accelerated. The following day, the cyclone reached its peak intensity with winds of 250 km/h (160 mph) (10-minute sustained) and a barometric pressure of 904 hPa (mbar).[1] Orson maintained this intensity for nearly two days before making landfall near Dampier. The cyclone rapidly weakened after landfall as it accelerated to the southeast. After moving into the Great Australian Bight on 24 April, the storm dissipated.
Despite Orson's extreme intensity, damage was relatively minimal as it struck a sparsely populated region of Western Australia. Five people were killed offshore and damages amounted to A$20 million (US$16.8 million). The storm damaged a new gas platform, delaying the project for nearly two weeks. The most severe impacts took place in Pannawonica, where 70 homes were damaged. Following the storm, cleanup costs reached A$5 million (US$4.1 million). Due to the severity of the storm, the name Orson was retired after the season.
- ^ a b Buchan, S.J.; Tron, S.M.; Lemm A.J. (4 September 2002). Measured Tropical Cyclone Seas (PDF). 7th International Workshop on Wave hindcasting and forecasting preprints. Banff, Alberta, Canada. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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