Severe Tropical Cyclone Althea was a powerful tropical cyclone that devastated parts of North Queensland just before Christmas 1971. One of the strongest storms ever to affect the Townsville area, Althea was the fourth system and second severe tropical cyclone of the 1971–72 Australian region cyclone season.

What year was Cyclone Althea in Townsville?

On 24 December 1971, Tropical cyclone Althea swept across Townsville, resulting in three deaths. Ninety per cent of the Magnetic Island houses were either damaged or destroyed. At Bowen, two tornadoes caused damage to both trees and houses.

What was the worst cyclone in Australia?

Cyclone Mahina was the deadliest tropical cyclone in Australia's recorded history, and probably one of the most intense ever recorded.