On 24 February 2001 Abigail crossed the coast near Cairns as a weak tropical cyclone. It then crossed the base of Cape York Peninsula and was upgraded once more to Tropical Cyclone Abigail at 1800 UTC on 25 February with the centre located about 60 nm northeast of Mornington Island. The eye passed over Mornington Island Township around 7.00 pm (EST) Monday 26 February 2001. Central Pressure: A barograph (located about 2km west of the AWS) read the pressure in the eye at 968.5 hPa around 7.00 pm. The Mornington Island AWS (badly exposed for wind) read the lowest bar (MSL) at 0820 UTC 26 February 2001 of 973.7 hPa The strongest wind gust recorded by the AWS was 64 knots at 1020 UTC 26 February 2001. Estimated wind gusts exceeded 80 knots. At Mornington Island. The storm surge reached 0.5 m above Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT) and predicted high tide was 0.8m below HAT. Further east at Karumba there was a 1.2m storm surge. Description of Damage Sustained -Total Estimated cost -$245,000 Estimated building damage -$221,500 includes additional cost for transport to remote communities. Government Residences -15. Government Facilities -12. Numerous trees were downed. Severe roof damage to modular building -roof severely damaged and side walls blown out. Solar panels and hot water storage unit lifted from roof of a residence which also damaged the roof and gutters; Various levels of damage to roofs -sheets blown off, sheets buckled, gutters blown off, roof flashings blown off or damaged, Repairs to ceilings due to water entry; Water tank blown off tank stand; Damaged electrical services due to water entry through roofs, Damaged floor coverings due to water entry; Numerous TV aerials blown away. Numerous aluminium louvred sun shades ripped from nearly all buildings. A number of garage doors were blown in; Damage caused by flying debris -punctured fibro cement sheets, ceveats, fascias; A number of cloths hoists were damaged.