Ethel made landfall 13 km north of Duyfken Point and 33 km west northwest of Weipa. The beach area about the point of landfall was completely changed exposing objects never seen before by the miners and was obviously affected by large waves and storm surge. A peak storm surge of 1.18 metres was recorded at Weipa. The water level exceeded the highest astronomical tide at Weipa by .26 metres. At the time Ethel made landfall the winds at Weipa were offshore and a peak negative storm surge of 0.8 metres was recorded.