In 1918 the far north was battered by an unnamed cyclone centred on Innisfail that caused immeasurable damage and killed many people. Records show that 37 people were killed in Innisfail itself and a further 40-60 people killed in the surrounding area. It is likely that many more people were killed at the time, particularly in the Aboriginal community. Record keeping was sketchy and it is possible that well over 100 people were killed making it the worst natural disaster in Australian history.

This cyclone was so destructive that 95 percent of all buildings in Innisfail were damaged, many completely destroyed.