Cyclone Alby

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Severe Tropical Cyclone Alby in 1978 was the most damaging cyclone to hit southwestern Western Australia on record. It formed from a low-pressure area on March 27 and moved southwest along the coast. By April 1–2 it rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm on the Australian scale, with winds near 205 km/h (125 mph) and a central pressure around 930 hPa. It then turned southeast, weakened, and became extratropical near Cape Leeuwin on April 4, racing into the Great Australian Bight before dissipating on April 5.

Impact in Western Australia was severe because Alby moved fast and brought hurricane-force winds to a wide area. Albany recorded gusts up to about 150 km/h, and Perth saw gusts around 130 km/h—the third-highest in the city’s history. Many buildings lost roofs, power lines failed, and large swells caused coastal flooding and erosion. Inland, the storm sparked dozens of brushfires that burned about 114,000 hectares of land. The fires destroyed buildings and livestock, and two towns, Jarrahwood and Yornup, were leveled. About 80% of the Donnybrook–Manjimup apple crop was lost, along with extensive timber and fencing damage.

In total, five people died and about A$50 million (roughly US$45 million) in damage was recorded. The fast-moving, loosely organized storm left little rainfall, which helped fuel fires and hindered rainfall-based firefighting. Large-scale electricity outages disrupted the region and contributed to additional losses. The experience led to improved forecasting for Western Australia and is often used as a benchmark for comparing future tropical cyclones in the area. After Alby, the name was retired from use.