The category 5 tropical cyclones that caused the most destruction in WA

As severe tropical cyclone Ilsa makes its way to the Kimberley coast, The West Australian looked back at the worst category five systems to hit the State.

Joan 1975

When Joan struck Port Hedland it was one of the strongest cyclones to have hit Australia. It destroyed about 85 per cent of the houses, a hospital was demolished, and dozens of caravans were overturned. There wa no human deaths but graziers suffered massive losses of livestock.

Amy 1980

Amy crossed the east Pilbara coast near Pardoo before it hit close to Goldsworthy where it was estimated to reach gusts up to 240km. It destroyed the small mining town with an estimated $25 million in losses due to property damage and industrial distruption. There were no major injuries or fatalities, however, the impact helped lead to the demise of both the mine and the town of Goldsworthy.

Enid 1980

A month later, Enid reached Category 5 before hitting Wallal station and the inland town of Shay Gap causing severe damage in the Pilbara coast. Enid was the third intense tropical cyclone to cross the east Pilbara coast in a five week period.

Orson 1989

Orson crossed the coast at Cape Preston, west of Karratha, with wind gusts up to 275km recorded shortly before the cyclone made landfall. It mainly knocked buildings down in the mining town of Pannawonica while Karratha and Dampier escaped with little damage. Four Indonesian fishermen reportedly died in the rough seas.

Bobby 1995

Bobby resulted in the deaths of eight people, seven in two fishing trawlers off Onslow and one motorist who was drowned while trying to cross a flooded creek near Carnarvon.

Vance 1999

Vance tore down the north-west coast. RAAF Learmonth recorded a peak wind gust of 267km/h, the highest recorded at the time. It destroyed 70 per cent of buildings in Exmouth.

Sam 2000

Cyclone Sam crossed the Kimberley coastline 110km south of Broome, near the community of Bidyadanga. Wind gusts near the centre were estimated to be greater than 250km which completely demolished Anna Plains station and knocked down trees, power lines, sheds, and fences.

George 2007

George crossed the coast at a near identical point as projected for Thursday evening. The strong system killed three people. Two of those deaths happened when more than 1000 people in mining camps were left stranded and the strong winds destroyed demountables. George was the most destructive cyclone to affect the Port Hedland region since Cyclone Joan in 1975.

Laurence 2009

The last Category 5 cyclone to make landfall in WA was 13 years ago when Laurence made landfall. Around 1500 cattle died when Laurence crossed the coast twice - first in the Kimberley at Collier Bay and again along 80 Mile Beach, 230km north east of Port Hedland. The cyclone reached Category 5 strength when it hit the West Australian coast the second time reaching winds up to 211km.