Elaine formed after a monsoon trough, which spawned an area of low-pressure on 12 March. The low moved west into a favourable environment and intensified into Tropical Cyclone Elaine on 15 March. 24 hours later, on 16 March, Elaine attained severe tropical cyclone status. Two days later, Elaine reached its peak of 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph). Thereafter, the storm entered a period of weakening. On 20 March, Elaine was downgraded to a tropical cyclone. Elaine made landfall over Western Australia with 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) winds. More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the areas of impact. Elaine degenerated into a remnant low, a few hours after impact.
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Elaine on the 16th (top) and on the 17th (below) of March 1999.
A monsoon trough had formed from a monsoon on 11 March 1999. While the trough moved westward, it spawned a low on 12 March.[1] The low was in a region of low shear and favorable upper outflow.[1] As the low headed westward, it entered a favorable environment and underwent intensification. On 15 March, the storm attained wind speeds more than 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph) and was designated as Tropical Cyclone 28S.[2] On 16 March, at 3:00 PM, the storm had intensified into a tropical cyclone and was designate as Tropical Cyclone Elaine.[1][2][3]
Elaine changed course and headed southward, towards Western Australia at 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).[3] Elaine's winds reached 60 mph, attaining Category 1 status. The system underwent explosive intensification[2] and reached severe tropical storm status on 17 March. An eye was evident which was associated with the rapid intensification. Cyclone Elaine reached its peak the same day at 10:00 UTC.[3][2] Thereafter the storm declined as it headed south towards westerly wind shear.[2][1]
Elaine continued west on 18 March, and made landfall at 10:00 UTC.[2][3] Elaine then dropped to tropical storm status, with deep convection being stripped away from the system. Elaine declined over Western Australia as a remnant low. The low continued to impact Western Australia until Elaine dissipated on 20 March, around 12:00 UTC.
Preparations
Nearly 2,000 people were evacuated from Moora after Elaine hit.[4]
Impact
As a tropical depression/low, Elaine affected mainly Western Australia. Moora reported severe flooding and much precipitation.[1][2][3] Tropical Low Elaine crossed between Kalbarri and Geraldton around 01:00 UTC. Many emergency operations were in hand, but no fatalities from the storm were reported.[5]
The Moora River experienced flooding after an increase in water capacity.[6] The Moora overflowed to the point where it burst its banks.[4] The downpour of rain was one of the heaviest that Moora had ever seen.[7]
Retirement
Due to the damage and flooding of Moora and the Moore River, the name Elaine was retired and replaced with Emma in 2006, which would affect the same area and do more than $700,000 (2006 USD).
^Report on emergency response operations for tropical cyclones Elaine and Vance. Perth: Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia. 1999. p. 4.
^"Cyclone Devastation". Parliament of Australia. 31 March 1999. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
