On 24 December 1971, Tropical Cyclone Althea swept across Townsville resulting in three deaths. There was a major flood in Burdekin, resulting in a 2.9 m storm surge in the Townsville Harbour, and a 3.66 m storm surge north at Toolakea. The Toolakea storm surge occurred at low tide; however the surge and large waves caused extensive damage along the Strand and at Cape Pallarenda. The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1971 cost to be $25m, with the 2007 estimated repeated cost of $484m.