Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has a history of evacuating its citizens during times of crisis. One of the earliest recorded evacuations in the country was in 1974, when over 60,000 people were evacuated from Darwin due to Cyclone Tracy, leaving just 10,000 people to begin the cleanup. In more recent times, the country has faced challenges such as bushfires, floods, and the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which have led to the evacuation of thousands of Australians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd January 2020 |
| Reason | Bushfires |
| Number of people evacuated | Thousands |
| Location | East coast of Australia |
| Specific locations mentioned | Victoria, New South Wales, Sydney, Mallacoota, East Gippsland, Canberra |
| Assistance provided by | Military ships and helicopters |
| Deaths | 8 people |
| Missing | 18 people |
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What You'll Learn
Bushfires in 2020
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season was the country's most catastrophic bushfire season on record. The fires burnt through approximately 19 million hectares of land, with 12.6 million hectares being primarily forest and bushland. The fires were exacerbated by record-breaking temperatures and prolonged drought. In Canberra, the temperature hit 43.6 degrees Celsius, breaking previous records. In New South Wales, temperatures reached 49 degrees Celsius, and a state of emergency was declared in December 2019.
The bushfires led to the country's largest peacetime evacuation. More than 100,000 residents left evacuation zones in the three worst-affected states: New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. In Victoria, over 1,100 people and 115 pets were evacuated from the Gippsland town of Mallacoota by the Australian Navy. In New South Wales, thousands of locals took shelter in evacuation centres and on beaches as "too late to leave" warnings were issued.
The bushfires had a devastating impact on the natural environment, with nearly 3 billion animals affected and an estimated 1.25 billion killed. There were also substantial property losses, with around 3,094 homes destroyed. The Insurance Council estimated that bushfire losses between November and mid-February totalled approximately $A1.9 billion in insured claims. The true economic impact of the bushfires is difficult to calculate due to intangible losses such as loss of income and productivity.
The response to the bushfires involved various volunteer organizations and charities. The Australian Red Cross Society provided support at evacuation centres and was awarded $336,000 for its disaster relief efforts. WIRES Wildlife Rescue worked to rescue and treat injured wildlife, while the Animal Welfare League fundraised and assisted injured animals. The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal received $500,000 to support community-led recovery projects in bushfire-affected communities.
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Cyclone Tracy in 1974
Cyclone Tracy, which struck Darwin, Australia, in the early hours of Christmas Day, 25 December 1974, was one of the most destructive cyclones ever recorded in the country. The Category 4 cyclone had wind gusts of up to 217 kilometres per hour, causing massive damage to buildings and infrastructure. The storm destroyed or severely damaged over 80% of buildings in Darwin, leaving thousands of people injured or traumatised and 66 dead.
The impact of the cyclone on the city was profound, with all power, water, sanitation, and communication services severed. The damage caused by the cyclone resulted in the largest peacetime evacuation and reconstruction operation in Australia's history. The majority of Darwin's population, approximately 35,362 people, were evacuated to southern cities in the days and weeks following the cyclone. The Australian Government established the Darwin Reconstruction Commission in February 1975, which oversaw the rebuilding of the city over the next three years.
The response to the cyclone was not without criticism, as the commission was accused of a slow speed of reconstruction. However, by April of the following year, 3,000 new homes had been built in the previously nearly destroyed northern suburbs, and repairs had been made to those that survived the storm. By 1978, much of the city had recovered, and Darwin's population had returned to pre-cyclone levels.
The events of Cyclone Tracy shocked Australians, reminding them of their vulnerability in the face of natural disasters. The official response and public generosity demonstrated the country's resilience and ability to support one another during challenging times. The cyclone also led to the implementation of new building standards across Australia, ensuring that buildings were better able to withstand future disasters.
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Torrential rain in Sydney
In March 2022, tens of thousands of Sydney residents were forced to evacuate as torrential rain battered Australia's east coast. The extreme weather moved from Queensland state into New South Wales, submerging town centres, washing away homes and cutting power lines. Rivers in Sydney's west rose rapidly, prompting the evacuation of suburbs along the Hawkesbury River, which reached major flood levels. This included residents of Penrith, a large population centre downstream of the overflowing Warragamba Dam. Authorities warned that inundation along the rising Nepean River at Penrith could exceed the previous year's flood, which was the worst in 60 years.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned that hundreds of thousands of people would be impacted by the event, and military helicopters were deployed to rescue stranded people from rooftops. The New South Wales emergency services minister, Stephanie Cooke, emphasised that the disaster was far from over. State Premier Dominic Perrottet declared 17 local government areas as disaster zones and urged people in Sydney to evacuate if instructed by emergency crews.
In March 2021, thousands of people who lived along the Hawkesbury River were also told to be ready to evacuate after days of heavy rain. Warragamba Dam, Sydney's main water supply, began overflowing, and authorities coordinated with supermarkets to ship groceries to those who could not access stores.
In July 2022, thousands of people on the outskirts of Sydney were again ordered to leave their homes or prepare to evacuate as days of torrential rain led to widespread flooding. This was the fourth major flood in New South Wales in 18 months, and authorities issued dozens of evacuation orders and warnings for the southern, western, and northern regions of Sydney.
In May 2025, torrential rain ravaged rural towns in the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions of New South Wales, resulting in several deaths. The Manning River in Taree exceeded a 100-year-old flood record, and the Bureau of Meteorology forecasted that some areas could receive up to 200 mm (8 inches) of rain, triggering life-threatening flash flooding.
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Flooding in Canberra
Canberra, the capital city of Australia, has experienced flooding in recent years, with a notable event occurring in January 2023. While the risk of flooding in Canberra is generally lower compared to other major cities in Australia, the city has not been immune to the impacts of flooding.
On Wednesday, January 4, 2023, a sudden storm swept through Canberra, resulting in flash flooding. This storm brought over 25 millimetres of rain within an hour, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. The heavy rainfall caused roads and homes to be inundated, leading to lane closures on Parkes Way, a major road near the city centre. The CBD's main shopping complex, the Canberra Centre, was evacuated as water poured in, disrupting businesses and forcing shoppers to leave. Emergency crews worked through the night to repair the damage and clear the area.
In response to the flooding, the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA ACT) urged residents to be cautious and provided guidance on preparing for potential flooding. The agency advised residents to create a FloodSafe plan, prepare emergency kits, and familiarise themselves with their local area to identify possible evacuation routes. The ESA ACT also warned about the dangers of entering floodwaters, as it can pose a risk to lives.
While Canberra has experienced flooding, the impact and frequency are lower compared to other regions in Australia. In December 2023, northeastern Australia faced extreme flooding, with towns like Cairns being almost completely cut off by floodwaters. This event led to the evacuation of hundreds of people, with over 300 rescued in Queensland. In March 2021, another significant flooding event affected eastern Australia, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 40,000 people. New South Wales and Queensland experienced torrential downpours, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting severe weather conditions.
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WWI evacuation of ANZAC Cove
The evacuation of ANZAC Cove, Suvla Bay, and Helles in 1915–16 was part of the Gallipoli Campaign during World War I. The campaign began on April 25, 1915, with the landing of around 16,000 Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops at what became known as ANZAC Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The ANZACs faced fierce resistance from Ottoman Turkish defenders and were unable to advance beyond their initial beachhead. Trench warfare quickly ensued, and the ANZACs endured harsh conditions, including a lack of water and waste disposal facilities, leading to the spread of dysentery. By October, Allied leadership recognized the need for evacuation, but the British government was reluctant to approve this, concerned about the potential damage to British prestige.
Finally, in December 1915, the evacuation was sanctioned, and over the course of December 18 and 19, the entirety of the forces from ANZAC Cove and Suvla Bay (approximately 105,000 men, 186 guns, and 4,600 horses and mules) were successfully evacuated with minimal casualties. The evacuation of Helles followed in late December, and by January 9, 1916, all remaining Allied troops had been withdrawn from the peninsula, bringing an end to the Gallipoli Campaign.
The campaign holds a significant place in the history and national identities of Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey. It is particularly notable for the characteristics displayed by the ANZAC troops, including bravery, endurance, and mateship, which have become defining aspects of the Australian character. ANZAC Day, commemorated annually on April 25, is a key commemorative date for Australia and New Zealand, remembering those who served and died during the Gallipoli Campaign.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear how many Australian citizens were evacuated from Afghanistan during the 2021 Kabul airlift. However, it was reported that the first Australian evacuation flight had only 26 people on board, despite having a capacity of over 120. By 26 August, Australia had ended its evacuation efforts.
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from Australia during the 2019-2020 bushfires. HMAS Choules, for example, was able to carry up to 1,000 people on its first trip.
Cyclone Tracy resulted in the evacuation of 60,000 people from Darwin, Australia, leaving just 10,000 people to begin the cleanup.
