Flooding

Flooding refers to an overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. This can occur as a result of various factors, including excessive rainfall, rapid snowmelt, hurricanes, tsunamis, or the failure of dams and levees. Flooding can lead to significant damage to property, infrastructure, and ecosystems, and it poses risks to human life and health. There are different types of flooding, including flash floods, river floods, coastal floods, and urban floods, each defined by the specific circumstances and rates of water rise. Flooding can disrupt transportation, contaminate drinking water supplies, and cause long-lasting environmental impacts. It is a natural disaster that communities often prepare for through floodplain management, emergency response planning, and mitigation strategies.