Impact
Overall, the damage caused by Cyclone Thelma was relatively light, compared with the cyclone's severe intensity. However, Thelma still had a significant impact on people's activities near the Tiwi Islands and the Kimberley coast.
In the Tiwi Islands, the most significant impact was disruption to communications and power supplies. The telephone service throughout the Tiwi Islands was shut down for over 24 hours. The radio and television reception was interrupted by heavy rain and lightning, and the power supply in Pirlangimpi (Garden Point) was cut by fallen trees. Around Bathurst Island and northwest Melville Island, there was extensive damage to vegetation in exposed areas. Minor coastal erosion occurred in Milikapiti, where waves rose up to 4 metres (13 ft) above water level. In Pirlangimpi, many large trees were uprooted and several houses were slightly damaged. In Nguiu, Bathurst Island Township, some trees were blown down but there was no significant damage.
In Darwin, there was minor damage to houses and minor disruption to power supplies, caused by falling trees. A record 425 mm (16.7 in) of rain was recorded within 24 hours at Howard Springs, and a 48 hour total of 432 mm (17 in) was recorded at Darwin Airport from 8 December to 10 December. The rain caused local flooding in the rural areas around Darwin, blocking off some areas.
In the Kimberley region, there was minor damage to some buildings at Kalumburu and water level in the river rose to within 50 metres (165 ft) of the town. The BHP facilities at Troughton Island were affected by very destructive winds and heavy rainfall from the cyclone's core, damaging the runway and buildings. Average wind speeds of 139 km/h (86 mph) and a maximum gust of 174 km/h (108 mph) were recorded before communications were lost. Only minor damage was received at the pearling facilities at Vansittart Bay and Kuri Bay, mainly to floating pontoons. A number of places reported daily rainfall totals in excess of 100 mm (3.9 inches) including 223 mm (8.78 in) in Kalumburu on 11 December, and 174 mm (6.85 in) in Ellendake on 13 December. McGowan Island, to the north of Kalumburu received 490 mm (19.3 in) of rain between 9 December and 13 December. Parts of east Pilbara also reported heavy rains over several days. Marble Bar recorded 239 mm (9.4 in) and Newman recorded 175 mm (6.89 in) in a two day period.
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