The impact Cyclone Tracy had on Darwin was immense. Around 71 people died. Of the people aboard the 22 vessels out at sea, 16 were never found. The population of about 45,000 was reduced to about 10,000 by a mass evacuation of people to other Australian cities.
The destruction of houses with tin roofs, not built to withstand cyclones, or any natural disaster for that matter did not survive. Most people had everything taken away from them by the cyclone and many never returned to Darwin.
(Pfitzner.M, 1975)
The cyclone destroyed huge sections of towns and wiped out nearby suburbs. Concrete, glass and debris was thrown around Darwin. The force of the cyclone hurled food over the town. After the storm passed, meats, fruit and vegetables began to rot in the heat. There were major health problems. The sewerage system was damaged, leaving rubbish waste in multiple parts of the city causing disease and crop dusting planes sprayed insecticide over parts of Darwin to help prevent disease.
(Albert A, 1974)