Australia Floods

Much of the world remains unprepared for the mounting threats of the changing climate, a major international report warns.

Torrential rain has hit Queensland, leaving four people dead and thousands of homes under water. Several towns and cities have been flooded, including the state capital, Brisbane.

Wildfires in Western Australia have left hundreds of people homeless. One firefighter has been injured and several people treated for smoke inhalation.

One of the most powerful cyclones on record began battering Australia’s northeast coast on Wednesday, as the area’s top politician warned of “heartbreak”, as John Sparks reports.

One of the most powerful cyclones on record began battering Australia’s northeast coast on Wednesday, as the area’s top politician warned of “heartbreak”, as John Sparks reports.

As parts of Australia experience more flooding, one scientist writes for Channel 4 News about the impact on the Great Barrier Reef. Dr Britta Schaffelke says the damage could last several years.

Australia floods: In the Queensland town of toowoomba today, John Tyson laid to rest his 13-year-old son Jordan Rice. It was the first funeral for victims of the floods which hit Queensland last week.

As Queensland’s premier Anna Bligh says that parts of Brisbane look like a “war zone”, Channel 4 News’ Jonathan Miller assesses the scale of the devastation.

Brisbane and other devastated areas of Queensland face rebuilding on a scale of “post-war proportions” after flood levels in the city peak. Jonathan Miller reports from Australia.

Jordan Rice is not a name you’ll instantly recognise – but his actions during the Queensland floods will live long in the memory, writes Channel 4 News Young Blogger Louise Jones.

Australia floods: follow the Channel 4 News team in Brisbane – Jonathan Miller and cameraman Matt Jasper – via our live blog, plus latest information, pictures and video.

After a day which quickly developed into disaster for people in Queensland, Pete Docherty – originally from Perthshire in Scotland – writes for Channel 4 News about the flood crisis in Australia.

Flood waters in Brisbane have peaked below the worst levels feared – but 20,000 homes are still flooded and thousands have fled Australia’s third largest city. Jonathan Miller reports from Brisbane.

It did not require complex climatic modelling to predict the “super storm” which unleashed Queensland’s inland killer-tsunami. Meteorologists and oceanographers did, to some degree, see it coming, warning that after weeks of waterlogging, further deluge could spell disaster.