Cyclone Tracey claimed 49 lives in Darwin while another 16 lives were lost at sea because several small vessels happened to be in the path of the cyclone at the time. Approximately 650 people were treated for injuries on Christmas Day, while more than 35,000 people were evacuated in the days to follow.

The evacuation was necessary because few essential services remained operable. Only 12,000 Darwin homes remained reasonably intact. The total property damage bill came to $ 1.3 billion in 1992 values.