Extreme flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region of north-eastern Italy has killed 15 people, left 26,000 temporarily homeless and blocked more than 200 roads. Hundreds of landslides are still considered “active”. What would normally be six months’ worth of rain fell in 36 hours, placing this squarely in the category of weather events linked to a warming climate. Warmer air holds more water vapour, creating the potential for more rain, which earlier months of drought made the soil too dry to absorb. So far the Italian government has allocated €2 billion for people and businesses affected by the disaster, but recovery will take more than money.