Wellington, New Zealand, faced unprecedented flooding early on Monday, with rainfall totals reaching over 70mm in just one hour, nearly tripling the city's monthly average. This storm, described as the worst since the 1976 flooding, resulted in significant disruptions, including closed highways and emergency services responding to over 150 calls. The storm's intensity was attributed to a cold air system over warm seas, creating conditions for heavy localized downpours. With the ground already saturated from Cyclone Vaianu just a week prior, the impacts were magnified. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the likelihood of such extreme weather events, with projections indicating that intense rainfall events could rise by 10-20% by the second half of the century. Addressing this risk requires a shift away from fossil fuels and improved community preparedness for future storms.