On 5 March 1887, a cyclone hit Burketown on the Gulf of Carpentaria. It arrived at approximately 11 am in the form of strong storm winds from the south-east. The storm continued for 12 hours; it destroyed almost the entire township and caused the death of seven from a population of just 138. The telegraph line was completely destroyed. A storm surge accompanied the cyclone, arriving at 7 pm and flooding the town.

There were great losses of stock, horses and goats. Five houses were washed away and two hotels destroyed.