 A map showing the approximate path of the Bowen tornado | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 22 February,1876,c. 9:45 p.m. AEST (UTC+10:00) |
| Dissipated | 22 February,1876,c. 9:45 p.m. AEST (UTC+10:00) |
| Duration | 30 seconds |
| F5 tornado | |
| on the Fujita scale | |
| Path length | approx. 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Highest winds | >420 km/h (260 mph) |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | Numerous |
| Damage | £7,000 (1876 GBP) £1.05 million (2026 GBP) $2.05 million (2026 AUD) |
| Areas affected | Bowen |
Part of the List of Australian tornadoes | |
The 1876 Bowen tornado was a violent and exceptionally short lived tornado that remains the strongest tornado in Australian history,as being the only one to be rated F5 on the Fujita Scale. [1] [note 1] The tornado was incorrectly marked to strike Brisbane by the Bureau of Meteorology, [2] but was said in local newspapers that tornadic damage was dealt in Bowen. [3] The tornado had estimated wind speeds of over 420 km/h (260 mph),was reported to kill one person, [4] injure numerous people and deal £7,000 worth of damage,equivalent to £1.05 million (GBP) and $2.05 million (AUD) today when adjusted for inflation. [3] The Bowen tornado also remains the first tornado to be rated F5 outside of Europe.
Contents
On 22 February 1876 at 9:00 pm,a distant roar was heard,resembling constant thunder–that same roar continued to get louder as the storm approached Bowen. Eventually,a violent but short-lived tornado struck the town;one that had a reported lifespan of a mere 30 seconds. [1] This funnel would go on and obliterate a hotel,a brick shop,dwelling and bakery. The tornado's damage was documented so well that the Bureau of Meteorology would rate it F5;placing the tornado's estimated wind speed of at least 420 km/h (260 mph). The approximate path length of the tornado is 5 km (3.1 mi),though the tornado's true path length would be much shorter.