Pulu Keeling National Park Management Plan
CyclonesCyclones
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Cyclones
Cyclones have the potential to have serious effects on the vegetation and wildlife of the island. A cyclone database maintained by the Bureau of Meteorology shows that a number of cyclones have affected the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. One of the most damaging cyclones in recent times was ‘Doreen’, which passed directly over the southern atoll in 1968. Cyclone Walter (April 2001) destroyed 61 per cent of the canopy and 14 per cent of the trees. The fledged chicks from the previous year also disappeared (Murray pers. comm. 2001).
Table 1 lists those cyclones that have passed over or close to Cocos (Keeling) Islands since 1960.