From full dams to saturated ground: what caused Sydney's fourth major flood in two years?

Jury still out on role played by global heating, but hotter ocean temperatures off Australia could have fuelled the NSW stormsSydney flood levels could exceed recent records as NSW premier warns crisis 'far from over'Comment: Australia is woefully unprepared for consecutive disastersSee the NSW floods' record-breaking rainfall in two chartsGet our free news app, morning email briefing and daily news podcastThe fourth major flood to hit greater Sydney in less than two years had no single cause. It was triggered by a confluence of events that combined over the weekend to dump as much rain in some areas as Melbourne or London typically receive in a year.The extent of the flooding was exacerbated by circumstances on the ground - a saturated landscape that was unable to absorb much more water after the wettest start to the year on record, and dams being close to full and unable to hold the downpour. Continue reading...