15 YEARS ON FROM YASI

Remembering One Of North Queensland’s Worst Weather Events

By Chelsea Ravizza

On this day 15 years ago, North Queensland braced itself as one of the most severe cyclones on record made landfall.

Cyclone Yasi developed as a tropical low northwest of Fiji on 29 January 2011, rapidly intensifying over the Coral Sea. By 30 January, it was officially named by the Fiji Meteorological Service and upgraded to a Category 5 system on 2 February. Yasi struck near Mission Beach in the early hours of Thursday 3 February 2011, weakening to a tropical low near Mount Isa later that evening.

The cyclone’s eye passed over Dunk Island and Mission Beach, delivering destructive winds across the coast between Cairns and Townsville, directly impacting the Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook, and the Burdekin. Gusts of up to 285 kilometres an hour were recorded at Tully Sugar Mill and Clump Point. Communities including Tully, Cardwell, Ingham, Innisfail, Mission Beach, El Arish, Silkwood, and Silky Oak reported widespread damage. Around 1,000 residents sustained major damage to their homes, and over 200,000 properties lost power. Rainfall totals of 200 to 300 millimetres triggered flooding across several river systems, while storm tides caused coastal inundation, including a five-metre surge in Cardwell.

In the Hinchinbrook region, Yasi caused catastrophic damage. Approximately 75% of buildings in Cardwell were affected, and the Bruce Highway waterfront was heavily damaged.

Severe damage was sustained to the transmission network between Cardwell and Tully, derailing the supply of electricity and network connections as Ergon Energy crews worked alongside the army to reconnect communities.

Port Hinchinbrook marina, home to around 250 floating berths, was obliterated by a two-to-three-meter storm surge and winds exceeding 200 kilometres an hour. The surge lifted boats from their pylons, driving dozens ashore and destroying at least 30 vessels, with an estimated $30 million in damage. Local resident, Rob Leydon moved his 43’ yacht to a nearby creek to secure the vessel among mangroves with five other boats, and while slightly grounded and suffering minor debris damage, these boats fared far better than those left in the marina.

In 2013, Jacqui Murray published a book to share the stories of more than 60 elderly residents who experienced Cyclone Yasi in Cardwell, documenting the trauma, displacement and often-overlooked hardships faced by the town’s frail aged before, during and after the devastating weather event in A Frail Farewell – The Cyclone Yasi Experiences of Cardwell’s Old Folk.

The environmental impact was severe, with mangroves around Hinchinbrook Island seeing 17.2 percent damage and extensive canopy loss in regional vegetation. Agricultural losses reached $300 million, particularly for sugarcane and banana growers, while the local economy faced prolonged financial strain.

State-wide, around 10,000 people evacuated to official centres or sought refuge with friends and community groups. Approximately 300 hospital patients were moved with the help of the Australian Defence Force and Royal Flying Doctor Service. Remarkably, there was only one fatality.

Insured losses reached $1.4 billion, surpassing those of Cyclone Larry in 2006. Recovery efforts included over $250 million in government payments and a $40 million redevelopment of Cardwell’s foreshore.

Fifteen years on, Cyclone Yasi remains a benchmark for disaster preparedness in North Queensland, shaping emergency management, building standards, and community resilience to this day.

Cyclone Yasi hit Hinchinbrook 15 years ago today. Photo source: QPS

1. Cyclone Yasi destroyed $30 million worth of boats and yachts moored in the Port Hinchinbrook Marina. Photo credit: Nick Burnham

2. A look at the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Yasi in Cardwell and Port Hinchinbrook. Photo source: QPS

3. Emergency services responded to thousands of calls. Photo source: QPS

4. Sand coated streets in Ingham and Forrest Beach. Photo source: QPS

5. Cardwell was devastated. Photo source: QPS

6. Local farms were left destroyed. Photo source: QPS

7. Ergon Energy crew member Adrian Azzopardi, worked with the army to restore power in Tullly. Photo source: Ergon Energy

8. Severe damage was sustained to the transmission network between Cardwell and Tully, derailing the supply of electricity and network connections. Photo source: Ergon Energy

9. There was extensive damage to trees around powerlines in Raleigh Street, Cardwell. Photo source: Ergon Energy

10 (2). All hands were on deck to clean up and repair infrastructure damage in Cardwell. Photo source: Ergon Energy

11. Carpenter Street, Tully Heads was devasted by Cyclone Yasi. Photo source: Ergon Energy

pic 12. Roads were torn to pieces along the Cardwell coastline. Photo source: QPS

13. The Mission Beach Compound, Webb Road Wongaling Beach. Photo source: QPS

14. Tidal surges left the streets of Cardwell covered in sand. Photo source: QPS

15. Cardwell and Port Hinchinbrook felt the effects of Yasi. Photo source: QPS

16. Port Hinchinbrook marina has never been the same since the destruction of Yasi. Photo source: QPS

17. Roofs were torn from homes in Mission Beach. Photo source: QPS

18. Flood waters blocked main roads and choked banana fields in Innisfail. Photo source: QPS

19. Businesses were devastated in Tully. Photo source: Facebook

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