The Bucca tornado was one of the most violent tornadoes ever observed in Australia, being the first Australian tornado to be officially rated F4 on the Fujita scale.[2] It occurred near the township of Bucca (near Bundaberg) in Queensland on 29 November 1992 at around 2:20pm AEST. The tornado was accompanied by cricket-ball sized hail across Bucca and Bullyard regions.

Bucca tornado
F4 tornado
The Bucca Tornado roping out.
Formed29 November 1992 2:30pm EST
Max. rating1F4 tornado
Fatalities20 (Cattle)[1]
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedBucca, Bullyard
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale

The tornado damaged or destroyed nine houses, some flattened to the ground. Trees were snapped and stones were found embedded into tree trunks. Several tree saplings were speared into the walls of homes. A refrigerator from one home was blown away and never found. A 3-ton truck was also thrown 300 metres (980 ft) and approximately 20 cattle were killed.[3] Jeff Callaghan, a retired senior severe weather forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology said “the Bucca tornado was rated a F4 or possibly an F5.”[4] Although the most violent Australian tornado with an official rating, the tornado did not kill or seriously injure anyone.[5]

The weather system that spawned the Bucca tornado was also responsible for an F3 tornado at Oakhurst.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Callaghan, Jeff. "Severe Thunder Storms and Bucca Tornado" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. Harden Up. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Tornadoes". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
  3. ^ Callaghan, Jeff. "Severe Thunder Storms and Bucca Tornado" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. Harden Up. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  4. ^ Callaghan, Jeff. "CASE STUDY: Severe Thunder Storms and Bucca Tornado, 29th November 1992" (PDF). Harden Up. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  5. ^ https://archive.today/20121126230537/http://www.bom.gov.au/bmrc/clfor/cfstaff/jmb/03Sept23a.htm