On 10 March 1918, Innisfail was hit by a cyclone. Damage was recorded in Cairns, Babinda, and on the Atherton Tableland. Coastal areas were affected by a storm surge at Mission Beach measuring 3.6 m, which swept hundreds of metres inland.

Of the 3500 residents in Innisfail, only 12 houses remained intact, all other homes were blown flat or unroofed by high winds. Thirty seven people died in Innisfail. There were unconfirmed reports of additional 40 - 60 deaths in surrounding areas.