damage

One year, two disasters The year was 1918. In the early hours of 21 January, a tropical cyclone crossed the coast just north of Mackay, bringing with it tidal surges of 2.7 meters in the center of town. The force was strong enough to uproot large Jacaranda trees and destroy 80% of Mackay’s buildings, numbering around 1200. More than 20 people were killed and widespread flooding ensued across Central Queensland, most notably in Rockhampton. A few days later, the Cairns Post described a scene of sheer desolation: The cyclone lasted over 14 hours and particularly wrecked the town. Scarcely a building escaped. The Anglican and Methodist Churches were completely demolished … The Presbyterian School Hall was razed. Only three hotels were left tenable … The Star Theatre, the Olympic Theatre, the Star Court, and Theatre Royal were literally turned inside out … The streets were littered with wreckage, galvanized iron being blown about like paper. (Cairns Post, 5 February 1918, p.2) Only seven weeks later, as Queensland was still reeling in the aftermath, another cyclone struck the coast, this time further north at Innisfail. The eye of the storm passed over the town in a terrifying hour between 9 pm and 10 pm on 10 March 1918, followed by wind gusts that blew in from the opposite direction to destroy any buildings left standing. Regarded by many to be the worst cyclone to hit a populated area in Queensland’s history of European settlement, 95% of dwellings were damaged or destroyed and close to 100 people perished across the wider region. The Brisbane Courier reported the impressions of Nationals’ candidate for Herbert, Mr. R.G. Johnson, as he walked towards Innisfail the following day: … [As] he journeyed along he saw many demolished homes, the occupants of which had to take refuge behind logs and in the open canefields. There were 1000 houses in the cyclone area, and in every instance the home was injured or destroyed … The tram route, which runs for 21 miles between Liverpool Creek and South Johnstone, was covered with the trunks of huge trees … (Brisbane Courier, 16 March 1918, p.6) Source: queenslanddecoproject.com/2015/02/25/art-deco-in-north-qu...

1885, Apr 2:- The Electric Telegraph Station at Geraldton was opened. Mr. D. Campbell was the Postmaster of the Post and Telegraph Office at the time and received £30 p.a. for his duties. Apr 7:- The Telegraph Line from Cardwell to Johnstone River was finally completed and handed over to the government. The Line followed along the route of the cattle and horse track of Scheu and Stamp. 1886, 14 private boxes were installed at the Geraldton Post Office, however, due to the decline in the need for this service by 1890 only 9 lock boxes were in service. 1906, Jan 28:- Severe Cyclone which crossed the coast near Cairns, devastated Geraldton (Innisfail), destroying buildings and crops. 1910, Jan:- Tenders were called for the construction of a new Post Office on a new site of the corner of Edith and Rankin Streets. J. G. Corbett's tender for £1327, being the lowest, was accepted. May 18:- "Geraldton" was changed to "Innisfail" 1911, Feb:- The New Innisfail Post Office was finally completed. Source: www.users.on.net/~davidcleslie/innisfail/innichron.htm

I documented this tornado from Hwy 37 Actinolite to Beatty Curve Rd on Hwy 7

Thanks Jan!