TC crossed the coast near Cairns. Front of Stock Exchange blown in, the Rice Mill on the Esplanade was severely damaged, balconies were stripped off buildings, two houses were lifted completely off their stumps, a sawmill was unroofed and other sheds were unroofed. Many trees were blown down. The sea came onto the land with a strong easterly gale on the morning of the 31st damaging many boats and smashing the seawall. Banana plantations were destroyed at Freshwater near Cairns. All trees were blown down on Green Island and it was denuded of vegetation. Seas broke right over Upola Bank and thousands of dead birds were found lying on the sandbanks.

At Yarrabah the boys Quarters were blown down, the girls Quarters were badly damaged and out buildings were unroofed and a baby died. At Innisfail balconies and roofs were lost though most damage was caused by severe floods. Goods and Buildings washed down River. Four lives lost. In the district 90% of banana crop lost and there was severe damage to other crops. SS Innamincka grounded. Record floods Cairns and Malanda districts with much damage to roads and bridges and railway lines. Schooner Dancing Wave missing.

At Innisfail 100 houses were under water, at Ingham 25 feet of water was over the bridge and at Cairns the Mulgrave was 20 feet over the railway bridge. Cyclone from Cairns area crossed the SE Gulf. Very heavy rain Carpentaria with train derailed between Selwyn and Duchess by washaway.

The cyclone struck Carins on the 30th January 1913. Sections of t…

Cairns Cyclone 1913 - Rainfall

Rockhampton Regional Council in partnership with the Queensland a…

Cairns Cyclone track 1913

31 Jan 1913, sea level