User:Yellow Evan/Joy

Cyclone Joy brought the third worst flood to the Rockhampton River since 1860.

Meteorological history
In response to the formation of Typhoon Russ, in the Northwestern Pacific basin, an area of low pressure formed about 500 km (300 mi), to the south-east of Honiara Island, an island in Solomon group. Later, that day the Joint Typhoon Warning Center declared the storm 06S later on 15 December. The depression moved towards the east before it was classified as a tropical low by TCWC Nadi, before it moved into the TCWC Brisbine's area of responsibility on 17 December, where it was later named Joy. Shortly before crossing, RSMC Nadi estimated 10-minute peak sustained windspeeds of 45 km/h (30 mph) and a peak pressure of 998 hPa (29.47 inHg).

Gradually intensifying, Joy proceeded westward and attained cyclone 1 intensity on the Australian cyclone scale early on 19 December. Around that same time, the JTWC reported that the system had developed gale-force winds. While undergoing rapid intensification, Joy approached the subtropical jetstream. The storm attained peak intensity as a Category 4 system early on 23 December long after turning to the southwest. At peak, Joy was located 160 km of Cairns. According the the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the storm attained peak intensity of 165 km/h (105 mph) which it maintained for a day.

During 24 and 25 December, Joy meandered while passing in between Cairns and Green Island. Dry air increased, and Cyclone Joy thus began a weakening trend. Later on 25 December, 1-miniute sustained winds fell below 120 km/h (75 mph) winds. On 26 December, Joy corssed the coast near Townsville. Advisories on Joy were dropped by the JTWC the next day.

Preparations and impact
Upon passing near Green Island, a wind gust of 180 km/h. Significant structural damage was reported on a portion of the islands along with a few offshore islands.