How high was the storm surge from Tropical Cyclone Mahina?

Abstract

Tropical Cyclone Mahina was the most intense tropical cyclone to cross the Australian coast in historical times. Its central pressure was recorded by barometer at 27 inches (914hPa) as the eye approached the coast at Bathurst Bay (Figure 1) at approximately 4.30 am on the 22nd March 1899 (Whittingham 1958). Over 300 persons lost their lives when a fleet of pearling luggers and schooners were wrecked and sunk by the phenomenal seas. One of the most interesting aspects of this event was the eyewitness report of a 43 foot (13m) surge at Ninian Bay adjacent to Barrow Point 30km south of Bathurst Bay which extended inland for 2–3 miles (3–5 km). Constable Kenny, camped on a ridge fully 40 foot above sea level, was inundated to his waist by a ‘tidal wave’ (storm surge and associated ephemeral sea level rise) at his camp site some 0.5 miles (800m) inland at approximately 5am (Anonymous 1899). This account suggests this surge was the largest ever recorded in Australia.