Cyclone

Cyclones rotate clockwise in the southern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere. This is due to the Coriolis effect, caused by the Earth's rotation.

Cyclones can last for many days, even weeks. They move and may follow quite erratic paths.

Cyclones usually weaken and break up when they move:

• Over land or cooler oceans, or
• Into regions where the atmospheric conditions are unfavourable. For example, due to dry air or as winds change rapidly with height (Australian Climate Service)

Cyclone impacts can include:

• Community – damage to homes; limited access to food, water and fuel; isolation due to flooding; mental and physical health effects
• Infrastructure – damage to electricity grids, transport systems, communication networks, water supply and sanitation systems
• Environment – forest, mangrove and reef damage; coastal erosion; change in water courses due to debris
• Ecology – increased salt water in soil and waterways; animal deaths
• Agriculture and economy – damage to crops and livestock resulting in shortages and price increases; decrease in tourism due to hazardous conditions and recovery; disruption to businesses; insurance losses

(Australian Climate Service)

The video below shows what these impacts look like during Cyclone Debbie 

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