tropical cyclone yasi was a tropical cyclone that caused a lot of damage when it reached the australian coast at about midnight on wednesday 2 february 2011. the storm which started in the coral sea, destroyed hundreds of homes in the northern queensland towns of tully, mission beach, innisfail and cardwell. yasi was a category five storm, the highest level, with winds of about 300 km/h. it was the biggest storm in queensland's history, with more than 10,000 people moved from their homes. the storm passed between the two big cities of cairns and townsville which only suffered minor damage. early estimates of damage put the cost at about au$100 million.