On the 6 March 1956, Cyclone Agnes, the first Australian tropical cyclone tracked on radar, passed over Townsville, Ingham, Cairns, McKay and then into the interior. The event caused damaged roofs on multiple properties; approximately 20 houses were rendered uninhabitable. 

Subsequent inland flooding caused four deaths.

The 1956 estimated damage cost was £2.5m in Cairns and an estimated damage cost of £1million in Townsville.