Cyclone Tracy devastates Darwin, Australia.

Cyclone Tracy was a devastating tropical cyclone that struck Darwin, Australia, on December 24–25, 1974. It remains one of the most catastrophic weather events in Australian history. With wind gusts estimated at up to 217 km/h (135 mph) and sustained winds of 165 km/h (103 mph), Tracy completely destroyed over 70% of Darwin’s buildings and left more than 30,000 residents homeless. Tragically, the storm caused the deaths of 71 people. Its impact extended beyond physical destruction, exposing vulnerabilities in urban planning and prompting significant changes in building codes and disaster management strategies across Australia. The aftermath saw one of the largest evacuations in the country’s history, reshaping Darwin’s demographic and infrastructure for decades.