Floods are one of the most common hazards that can happen in the United States. There are many types of floods. Some are small and localized, only affecting a neighborhood or community. While the very large floods can affect entire river basins and multiple states.
A flood is characterized as an “overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land.” Floods can occur for numerous reasons, sometimes heavy rainfall can cause a river to flood over, or a storm surge can cause flash flooding.
Floods can be devastating for a number of reasons. Aside from the physical damage caused by the initial flood, water supplies can get contaminated, roads and transportation are destroyed, and water-borne diseases can become rampant.
