Floods occur when water overflows onto normally dry land, typically as a result of heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or storm surges. When rivers or streams overflow their banks due to excessive rain or ice jams, this is termed riverine flooding. Coastal flooding can happen when storms push ocean water inland, while flash floods develop suddenly, often with little warning, due to intense rainfall in a short period of time [2][3][4][5].

Geography plays a significant role in flood risks; areas near rivers, urban environments with impermeable surfaces, and mountains can exacerbate flooding [1][3]. Additionally, climate change increases the frequency and severity of floods by causing heavier precipitation and rising sea levels [4][6].

What causes a flood?

How do floods occur?

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