Six Common Types of Floods
Riverine Floods |
Occur when rivers, streams and other watercourses rise and overflow their banks. Floods can result from either heavy rainfall or snow melt upstream in their drainage basins. |
Tidal Floods |
Arise from high tides, frequently driven by high winds offshore, and from tropical storms making landfall or passing closely offshore. They affect bays and the portions of rivers along the coast. |
Wind Floods |
Occur wherever a strong wind holds back a large body of water from its normal draining course and raises the water level. Back bays behind barrier islands are especially susceptible to wind floods. Water that can not escape through normal channels can flow out of these bays across the barrier islands. |
Backwater Floods |
Rising water levels downstream can prevent drainage upstream, causing a backwater flood. Backwater flood can extend for a substantial distance upstream. |
Ice Jams |
Ice jams sometimes develop as ice thaws and begins to move downstream. Ice jams block the flow of water, causing it to back up and to flood upstream areas. If the ice jam breaks suddenly, it can cause flooding downstream. |
Accidental Floods |
Are caused by the failure of flood control systems. A dam might break, causing flooding downstream. Blocked floodgates and spillways cause upstream flooding. |
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