Veronica reached peak intensity at 06:00 UTC the following day as a high-end Category 4 severe tropical cyclone, with ten-minute sustained winds estimated at 195 km/h (120 mph), and a central barometric pressure of 938 hPa (27.70 inHg).

When Veronica struck Australia in March 2019, it flooded major areas and caused about AUS$1.7 billion (US$1.2 billion) in economic losses, primarily from disruptions to iron ore exports,[2] although no fatalities were reported, making it one of only two known billion-dollar tropical cyclones which caused zero deaths (the other was Hurricane Francine which occurred in the North Atlantic more than five years later).

Experiencing extremely favorable atmospheric conditions and very warm sea surface temperatures, Tropical Cyclone Veronica proceeded to intensify rapidly throughout the day, attaining Category 3 status on the Australian scale just 18 hours later.

[3] In preparation for passage of Veronica, major shipping ports on the Pilbara coastline were forced to cease operations in the interests of safety.

[5] As a result of the disruption to the mining and export operations, Rio Tinto estimated that its iron ore production would suffer reductions of approximately 14 million tonnmetric tonring 2019.

[6] Rio Tinto's Cape Lambert port wharf also sustained damage from waves generated by the cyclone, and repairs to the company's Robe River sorting facility following a fire earlier in the year were delayed during the event.

[7] As a result of the disruption to the mining and export operations, Rio Tinto estimated that its iron ore production would suffer reductions of approximately 14 million tonnes during 2019.

[4] Port Hedland was impacted by major flooding, and roofs from homes were thrown across the area, causing up to A$45 million in damage.