1970s: Cyclone Tracy, Darwin, Australia

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Christmas took a tragic turn for the people of Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory, in 1974, when the city was pretty much wiped out by the voracious Cyclone Tracy. The Category 4 storm barreled in from the northern coast on Christmas Eve and destroyed around 90% of the city, killing 71 and rendering thousands homeless. At the airport, 31 planes were destroyed and another 25 badly damaged. It remains among Australia’s worst cyclones in terms of both deaths and damages.

Historic weather events that shocked the world (msn.com)

1970s: Cyclone Tracy, Darwin, Australia Christmas took a tragic turn for the people of Darwin, in Australia’s Northern Territory, in 1974, when the city was pretty much wiped out by the voracious Cyclone Tracy. The Category 4 storm barreled in from the northern coast on Christmas Eve and destroyed around 90% of the city, killing 71 and rendering thousands homeless. At the airport, 31 planes were destroyed and another 25 badly damaged. It remains among Australia’s worst cyclones in terms of both deaths and damages.