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Types of Flooding

Coastal (Tidal) Flooding

This occurs when the sea level rises above the level of coastal land. Many people will be aware that the East Coast of England is vulnerable to flooding as shown by the events of 1953 and 1978 in Norfolk. The potential impact of coastal flooding is significantly higher than for other types of flooding, with a greater probability of loss of life and inundation – especially if larger-scale coastal defences are breached.

River (Fluvial) Flooding

River flooding occurs as a result of water overflowing from river channels. This is influenced by two key factors, the volume of rainfall and the capacity of the ground and rivers to absorb and transport the water.

Surface Water (Pluvial/"Flash") Flooding

Surface water flooding happens quickly and is hard to predict. It occurs when natural and man-made drainage systems have insufficient capacity to deal with the volume of rainfall. The critical factors for surface water flooding are the volume of rainfall, where it falls and its intensity. In urban areas sudden and intense rainfall cannot drain away as quickly as it can in rural areas where the soil is exposed.

Groundwater flooding

Groundwater flooding occurs when the level of water underground (the ‘water table’) rises and water emerges above the natural surface. It generally happens in low-lying areas, particularly those which sit above layers of permeable rock such as chalk.
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