Floods

Floods occur when water covers land which is normally dry.

Floods may be caused from prolonged or very heavy rainfall, severe storms or tropical cyclones and the monsoonal (wet season) rains in the tropics.

Flooding can also be caused from other events, such as snow-melt and dam failure.

In the coastal regions of Australia, floods can also be caused by the sea. Seawater flooding can happen when there are storm surges, king tides and from tsunami.

People who live close to rivers, creeks, major stormwater drains and low-lying areas are usually most at risk from flooding. Often, heavy rains and storms in one area can cause flooding in another town.

When the water levels of local rivers and streams overflow, they can sometimes spill out over thousands of kilometres of the surrounding region.