The floods currently impacting parts of Queensland, Australia are staggering in their reach.

You can get a glimpse of the economic impact from this in this interview:

Just how extreme the precipitation has been in some places is illustrated here:

Historic records:So far in 2025, an incredible 2452.8mm has been recorded at #Townsville AirportThis already surpasses 2399.8mm in 2000 as the **WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD**Yesterday was also the *27th* consecutive rain day (0.2mm+). This ties 23/12/1990-18/01/1991 as the longest streak on record!

— Cameron H 🇦🇺 (@hitchy04.bsky.social) 2025-04-06T03:54:21.976Z

It is important to put this in the context of the current global instrument readings.

+1.60ºC March 2025 above preindustrial

+1.59ºC current 12-month running mean above preindustrial

~1.5ºC long-term heating above preindustrial

Given current emissions we are almost certain to cross 2ºC in the next 15 years. We are on a highway to hell.

Of course as we heat, the amount of moisture the atmosphere can hold increase to. Latest data:

Floods? More intense rain? Dogs and cats living together? Mass hysteria?Total column precipitable water has increased about 7.7% since the early 1940's.

— Prof. Eliot Jacobson (@climatecasino.net) 2025-04-02T12:46:38.838Z

What has happened to animals in this area is heartbreaking More than 100,000 head of livestock estimated lost during flooding in outback Queensland.

What have we done?