Cyclone Debbie aftermath: aerial imagery reveals destruction

GUEST OBSERVER

It’s been two weeks since the category four cyclone, Cyclone Debbie, struck the east coast of Queensland, causing widespread destruction to homes, businesses and the environment.

Hamilton Island faces a five month rebuild following destruction to private homes, luxury hotels and yachts. Across Airlie Beach and Proserpine, roofs were ripped from houses, power lines blown down and trees littered the roads, while Bowen suffered flash flooding and severe agricultural crop damage. 

The natural disaster has now been declared a catastrophe, with the damage expected to cost more than $1 billion. 

To view interactive images of the destruction, click on the links below.

Hamilton Island above (boats washed on shore near the marina) 

Hamilton Island above (roofs ripped off) 

Hamilton Island above  (tennis court destroyed) 

Hamilton Island above (damage to the shopping mall pool)

Mackay above (river banks flooded)

Nearmap captures, manages, and delivers the most frequently updated location content in Australia to transform how emergency services, government agencies and businesses work by letting them see what is on the ground now, in high resolution, and how it has changed over time.

It’s truly devastating to see the impact Cyclone Debbie has had on communities and businesses across Queensland.

Our high resolution aerial images reveal the true extent of the damage from above, and we hope will prove to be a useful tool to help Queensland communities, insurance companies and the local government as they plan for cleanup and recovery. 

Rob Newman, is chief executive officer, Nearmap, and can be contacted here.