A flood is an overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. It can occur due to heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, ocean waves coming ashore, dam or levee failures, or other causes such as tsunamis and storm surges. Flooding can happen quickly, as in the case of flash floods, or slowly over a period of time. Floods are among the most common and widespread natural disasters and can cause significant damage to property, agriculture, and infrastructure.
