Three Primary Types of Flooding Events to Know About

If last week's deadly flooding event taught us anything, it is that any type of flooding threat should be taken seriously. Flooding can come in various forms as a result of completely different weather events. While some flooding events can strike in an instant, others take days or weeks to develop.

The one common denominator is that all types of flooding can be life-threatening. Here are the three types of flooding that you need to be aware of heading into the spring and summer season.

Storm Surge

Storm surge is the type of flooding most often associated with tropical weather events. This coastal flooding happens when water is shoved ashore as a result of powerful storms. Although storm surge is most closely linked with hurricanes or tropical storms, it can also happen to a lesser degree during high tide cycles.

The surge is created by high winds. A storm surge resembles a tsunami; however, they are not created by earthquakes. Storm surge is responsible for most deaths related to hurricanes in the U.S. This type of flooding is also to blame for the most significant amounts of property damage triggered by tropical weather events. Entire coastlines can be wiped out if the surge is strong enough.

Additionally, the flooding unleashed by storm surge is not just limited to the immediate coastal areas. The inland flooding can stretch for miles, leaving devastation that extends well beyond the primary impact zone.

Flash Flooding